The Ripple Effect of Tech Accessibility
Do you ever feel like the best opportunities aren’t in your neighbourhood? We are always hearing about these great stories of artists, digital designers, or creative tech geniuses making their mark, but are those interesting career opportunities scarce for someone living outside a major city? It certainly feels that way for some.
The pace of technology is increasing which is making it easier for students, from anywhere, to explore new paths. Even with these advancements, is it truly possible for rural students to get a competitive edge without leaving home?
Using Technology to Create Opportunities
Making technology accessible to Indigenous students and those in rural areas, we introduce them to cutting-edge skills and potential careers they might not have considered for their future.
This was the case for Wavemakers student, Sue-Anne Banks.
“We’re created by what’s around us, and a lack of accessibility creates so many barriers,” she says. When Sue-Anne found Wavemakers she was excited about how she could bridge the gap between what was available locally in her remote community and the education students in the city had abundant access to.
As a passionate storyteller and poet with Nisichawayasihk Cree heritage, Sue-Anne wanted to enrich her art while elevating her gift through the power of technology. Her writing came alive as she weaved her words into digital animation and design. Reflecting on her growth, she recalls how parts of herself began to emerge and express themselves, “Transformation, on all levels, is really understanding yourself.”
The Importance of Mentorship
Building relationships with a digital cohort of creative minds inspired Sue-Anne to envision a life where she could live anywhere and be part of a lively online community.
As she shared her storytelling projects and heard about the work of other students, she saw how they were each bringing their design, web development, virtual production, and other skills back into their daily lives, careers, and Indigenous communities. Wavemakers mentors supported, guided, and motivated the group to overcome limitations and expand their vision for impact.
Inspired by this experience with her Wavemakers mentor, and others who have guided her to some of her most exciting achievements — from her work with Indigenous advocacy to writing her master’s thesis — Sue-Anne later decided to partner with Wavemakers as a mentor, giving her a place to share her experiences and wisdom, plant seeds of innovation, and stretch creativity.
Top Tips to Get a Head Start
Through Wavemakers, Sue-Anne found new ways to stay true to her roots while finding the courage she needed to dive into new technologies. Here are her top tips for future Wavemakers:
“You really need to be uncomfortable sometimes.” Discovering different ideas, skills, and technologies challenged Sue-Anne to tap into her strengths so she could develop her storytelling talent. The risk of following her curiosity into new opportunities in the digital world always proved to be worth it.
“Embracing humility is a huge part of transformation.” Sue-Anne has learned that thinking that everything has to be perfect will only hold you back from building ideas for the future. Stepping into exciting uncertainty just might lead to your own inspiration.
“You don’t always get to be amidst all of these great spaces.” As Sue-Anne transitioned from being a Wavemakers student into a mentor with Wavemakers, she grew an even deeper appreciation for the unique ideas, growth, and collaboration in the program. To make your mark, find little ways every day to connect, lead, and take initiative in your own journey.
Join the Wavemakers community by applying today.
