History grad now an editor at acclaimed Maclean’s magazine
The University of Guelph wasn’t first on the list for Josh Dehaas; however just as the campus does for many others, the sight and feel quickly changed his mind. After visiting four universities and staying with an older friend who attended the University of Guelph at the time, Dehaas couldn’t help but feel comfortable during his stay. “It went from lower on my list to my first choice,” Dehaas explained of his decision to attend Guelph.
That wasn’t the last time Dehaas would experience a change of heart. During his time as a student, Dehaas went from majoring in Commerce, to History. “When I started, I was really focused on a business related career,” Dehaas said of the switch. “But then, going through university, I realized that was less important than finding something that really interested me.”
The history graduate also credited a few history professors, and the more personalized experience offered through the smaller arts programs at the University of Guelph, for the change in interest. “Commerce was a really big program with not a lot of contact,” explained Dehaas. “History was a smaller program when I was there, so it just felt like a better option.”
Dehaas went on to acknowledge history professors Karen Racine, Jacqueline Murray, and Jesse Palsetia specifically for playing a significant role in the major change. “I know they’re still there – I checked,” Dehaas joked. “I have a brother who goes to Guelph and I want to pressure him into taking their classes.”
Outside of the classroom, Dehaas found a strong interest in some extracurricular activities. In fact, the now-Toronto resident remembers his time spent as part of Interhall Council as one of his fondest memories. “In first year you’re so nervous,” Dehaas explained of the experience. “But by second year, you become a member of the community, and you know how everything works. You feel you can pass on that knowledge to someone else. It was just a lot of fun.”
The most important extracurricular for Dehaas, though, may have been the decision to begin writing for The Cannon – a decision that Dehaas credits for fostering his interest in journalism. “It’s really intimidating to write something, to have it published, and to have strangers read and criticize it,” explained Dehaas. “It was nice to be in a university where you could try out new things in a safe environment.”
Seeing an ad to write for The Cannon stemmed a career and a list full of experience that most heading into journalism only dream about. After graduation, Dehaas made his way to the University of British Columbia to complete his master’s in Journalism. During this time at UBC came half a dozen internships that Dehaas is thankful for. “Doing [internships] during school was really beneficial,” he explained. “Just trying out at several different places was really helpful to where I am now.”
With the sensitive topic of unpaid internships trending recently, Dehaas does not view his experiences with anything but positivity. “A lot of internships are educational, you’re not replacing any full time employees,” Dehaas said, touching on an article he wrote a few years ago on the topic. “You’re getting training that you wouldn’t get elsewhere; that’s perfectly acceptable and a really good experience.”
One of Dehaas’s internships was with Maclean’s magazine, where he is now the editor of “On Campus,” a clear indication that internships pay with more than just experience. In just his first week interning with Maclean’s, Dehaas was sent to cover the G-20 Conference. “I started on Monday, and then on Friday they said, ‘Hey, go cover this over the weekend,’” Dehaas explained of the scary and exciting opportunity, adding that there was no way to predict the dramatic outcome of the event. “It was a really good experience; it basically showed me that I could do this.”
After covering the G-20 Conference, working internships for renowned places like CBC, and writing for publications such as the Globe and Mail and Maclean’s, Dehaas understands and recognizes the attraction to the journalism world. “It’s probably the same as it’s always been,” Dehaas answered when asked why so many people still aspire to write, even with the negative connotations attached. “There’s a lot of variety in it being different every day, and it can be really meaningful.”
Before getting anywhere, though, Dehaas believes students should really strive to find out what they’re passionate about, and use university to do so. “Don’t be afraid to try lots of different things,” Dehaas explained, banking off his own university experience. “Use university as an opportunity to figure out what you really want to do, and what’s meaningful for you – that takes joining different clubs, playing different sports, and trying all kinds of elective classes.”
Dehaas clearly recognizes that university is a once in a lifetime experience, but it is only the experience that you choose to make it.