When my high-school graduation was around the corner I felt like I was running out of time.
I didn’t know what I was good at and struggled with what I wanted to be, until a friend suggested that I go into journalism. I had my doubts that I wouldn’t make a great addition to this industry but just went along with it.
My first year of college was bumpy and I convinced myself that I picked the wrong program. I had trouble making friends and asking for help when I needed it.
Yet, learning how to code and getting introduced to broadcasting led me to believe I might be in the right place. I loved it. As I watched the news, I pictured myself being on TV one day.
I was happy — until I wasn’t.
This semester has been chaotic, caught between the miscommunication from some professors and the onslaught of assignments from others. People have always said the second-year of college is always harder than the first year.
I think it’s insanity. It feels like I’m slowly losing my mind trying to navigate my way through this program.
Watching Patricia Jaggernauth on CP24 kept me calm and motivated, thinking that one day I could become like her. After all, she seemed to be happy doing what she loved.
But not everything is as it seems.
“I was just a filler for Bell,” Jaggernauth said in an Instagram post. “Thrown a breadcrumb so I would stop just asking for more. I received hardly any raises, or no promotions, or opportunities over my 11 years.”
The Instagram post came just five days after she filed a human rights complaint against Bell Media on Oct. 5.
She claimed she was passed over for promotions that went to her white male colleagues and received only a $14 raise in compensation. Considering this is a dog-eat-dog world where men get paid more, I thought that was normal.
Jaggernauth surprised me though when she said she was hanging on false promises that CP24 would become more diversified.
“I asked and begged for them to use me. Advised that with the lack of Black representation on CP24 breakfast, it would be a win for the Black community to have a CP24 executive add me to the show,” the Instagram story continued.
I couldn’t help but think that this could be me.
Bell Media released a statement that made me question their intentions.
“Bell Media takes allegations of any potential discrimination very seriously and are committed to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment where employees can thrive,” the statement said.
“If a matter is brought to our attention where an employee did not feel adequately supported, a process is triggered to review and address when required,” the statement said.
I was convinced they could be trying to hide the truth.
I was unsure of who or what to believe, and I was left wondering if this was a career for me. The doubts and continuous questions began rolling in my head again. Who was I going to become if I don’t continue on this path? What would my life be like?
All I can do is hope that this career is for me, and that it will all be worth it in the end.