Learn From The Experts

In September, the Make it Better on “The Art of the Cold Call” walked us through the tips and tricks from CBC veterans.This workshop featured Go Public host Rosa Marchatelli, in conversation with;

• Investigative Journalist -  Jorge Barrera

• Senior Producer at the National - Nicole Brewster-Mercury 

• Reporter at CBC Thunder Bay - Sarah Law

We all want feedback on how we are doing in our work but are often afraid to ask for it. And sometimes we are unsure how to receive feedback, especially when it is critical or negative. In this session we tackle how to get feedback effectively to help you grow and develop your skills. This is a timely workshop because in September Temps can opt-in to the process for My Priorities and Development to kick start a conversation for feedback with your supervisor.

Alex Brockman is now an Executive Producer of Video Streaming which includes the FAST teams. He started out as a Temp Web Writer in Windsor and has worked in Yellowknife doing every job in the building and then moved into a leadership role when he became the Executive Producer in Thunder Bay.

Have you ever been in a situation where you have two shows competing to have you work for them at the same time? Not sure how to take one opportunity without upsetting the show leader of the gig you reject?  Temps face these types of awkward scenarios often and they are difficult to navigate without Temps feeling vulnerable - as if any misstep will cost you future work opportunities. We want to help you navigate these types of scenarios with some best practices for constructive conversations. Our experts for this conversation bring a wealth of personal experience on how to have these conversations without negative repercussions.

Seema Patel is the Senior Director, Original Video & Investigative Journalism. In her long career has had a number of leadership roles including as executive producer at News Network and as a manager at Network Audio. She has been a long time mentor to many and is the sponsor for the Visible Women Employee Resource Group.

Karina Roman is a senior reporter in our Parliamentary Bureau. She is a long time CMG steward and has participated as a mentor in the Mentoring Program for Temps and Early Career Employees

If you have gaps in your schedule of work at the CBC and are wondering if you can work outside the CBC, the short answer is you can. However, there are rules and governing the type of work you can do and when you have to inform your supervisor. 

In June 2025, CMG Stewards, Abby Plener and Arman Aghbali  spoke to Temps to demystify what kind of work you can undertake outside the CBC without interfering with your on-going work as a Temp. They are both former Temps and now actively support current Temps as a CMG Stewards.

Veteran CBC reporter and podcast host Julie Ireton got her start as a freelancer, Temping for six years before she landed a staff reporting job. She came to a Temp Drop-in on April 22, 2025 to provide insights into her career specializing in investigative storytelling - what helped her get to where she is and offer advice on how to be resilient in a changing, dynamic media environment. 

Former Executive Producer Falice Chin walks you through how to prep and ace a job interview at the CBC.