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Second year BMS student Jake Rusnak reflects on his time at UBC as an AMS marketing executive and graphic artist at UBC.
Why BMS?
Jake’s curious and engaged nature were already apparent before he came to UBC. He worked at his high school television station throughout high school and became the head anchor for his last two years. This opportunity also introduced him to an inspiring Graphic Design teacher. At the same time Jake volunteered in event promotion.
As an ideas person, Jake is constantly thinking about the next thing he will work on, help out with, or change.
When it came time to select a path Jake realized that Media Studies was what he truly loved. As soon as Jake got to UBC from his home state of Arizona, he got a job with the AMS Student Society of UBC (AMS), largely because of the experience he had acquired during high school.
He was only 6 weeks on campus, in his first year, before he had a primary role in the UBC Hotline Bling event, involving peppering Drake’s twitter feed with Hotline Bling spoof videos. The event got pick up from several major media outlets, including Buzzfeed, CBC and GQ.
Screen Shot credit: GQ
AMS UBC Hotline Bling Event (Photo Credit: GQ)
Life at UBC
Jake is a student who makes connections quickly—connections between what he is learning and doing life, but maybe more importantly: human connections. When I asked him what he likes best about the Bachelor of Media Studies program so far, he quickly offers,”I like the other students in the Bachelor of Media Studies program. They are very flexible and interested in trying new things. When I come up with project ideas I can recruit my classmates to join me. If my classmates show interest, I can build a team to do a good job on a certain project.”
When working with the AMS, Jake brings an amazing amount of talent and energy to his designs, such as the end of the Year Block Party poster artwork this year (he designed the entire package for the party including VIP passes, tickets etc.):
10th Annual AMS Block Party Poster
Success in Numbers
The other aspect of Jake’s success is in the numbers. His efforts are as strategic as they are artistic. He was largely responsible for selling out the Winter Classic 2017 hockey game, a first in UBC History:
Winter Classic 2017 Hockey Game
Where to Now?
It’s possible to feel tired, just listening to all of the projects Jake has squeezed in already. As I list off all his achievements to him to make sure I caught everything, he adds that he has been creating Snapchat filters in his spare time.
Spapchat Filter Design
Jake planned for this busy schedule from the beginning of his studies, and takes a reduced course load (4 classes a semester) so that he can keep doing all of these projects and jobs on the side. This summer Jake will work full-time at showpass on his first Arts Co-op work term. He got this job on his own when an employee at showpass attended the UBC Block Party, saw Jake’s work, and wanted him to come and work for them. At the same event, UBC President Santa Ono greeted Jake by name and Jake proudly explains that President Ono friended Jake on Facebook.
Remember the name Jake Rusnak because you will be seeing it around the UBC Campus and then I can only imagine where else after he graduates with his Bachelor of Media Studies degree!
“If my classmates show interest, I can build a team to do a good job on a certain project.”
– Jake Rusnak
Check out Jake’s full portfolio at http://jaggre.com/.
