Joe Dermo graduated with a BA in Creative Writing. He was drawn to UBCO because he was in search of an inclusive and respectful creative community where he could nurture his writing abilities. In an interview, he said: “I had lived my entire life in Alberta, and much of the work I did would be considered blue-collar. For someone with an interest in writing, I had very little contact with actual writers–theirs was a world that seemed entirely foreign. To embrace the arts and pursue a degree in Creative Writing would be a sizable shift from the lifestyle I was familiar with.”
When Joe arrived in Kelowna and began studying at UBCO, he found that “the writers in the Okanagan tend to stick together. The experienced writers, especially the professors at the UBCO, are extremely approachable, and aspiring writers should have no problems with feeling welcome.” Joe mentioned that he found his creative stride in his third year of studies, where he won top prize for the 15th Annual Okanagan Short Story Contest. “I gave my first public reading on the night of the award, and the next day I’d been covered in various Okanagan publications. The following week, I was invited onto CBC Radio where I would give my first interview as a writer.”
Man on a Post story
Joe credits the FCCS’s collaborative atmosphere with helping him further develop his writing capabilities: “In the winter of 2013 I received an acceptance letter from The Sheepshead Review for my short story “Man on a Post.” This wasn’t just a reflection on the ability of my own writing, but also on the ability of students and professors in the program to effectively critique and edit a piece. Without the feedback I’d received, it would have been a completely different story that I’d submitted, and in all honesty, one that wasn’t as engaging.”
All of these diverse skills and experiences helped prepare Joe for his current position at Disney Interactive. “The ability to critically assess a situation and think outside-of-the-box is going to be valued in nearly any business. At Disney Interactive we’re faced with new situations each day. Of course, the ability to write well and have some creative flair plays a part in your responses as well. There’s a certain magic in Disney products, and you want to ensure that your voice can convey that. No canned messages here – be yourself, be excited about Disney Interactive’s video games, and let your writing abilities carry that in your voice.” About both Kelowna and UBCO, Joe added that “the close-knit writing community and small class sizes are a great reason for applying to the Faculty of Creative & Critical Studies. It’s a very accommodating environment and an ambitious student should have no problem making connections.”
This story was written by Brandon Taylor, English major in FCCS. Brandon is a Research Assistant in FCCS, contacting alumni to find out about their experiences here at UBCO.