Alumni Spotlight: Alexandra Kennedy BCS’12

Alexandra Kennedy BCS’12 works in Partner Relations at the New York based non-profit organization Feed New York. Feed New York works with 100 local churches located in low-income neighbourhoods and helps them to feed their communities with good, wholesome foods.  Kennedy works on a volunteer-basis to ensure that all the money received can go towards buying food.

What is your favourite University of Calgary memory?

My favorite UCalgary memories come from Summer ’11, when I did Summer School. I did two year-long courses in 6 weeks that summer… which was crazy, but so much fun, and so rewarding. It meant that I was in class for about 6 hours a day. I would then go home and study for 4-6 hours each evening. You’re probably perplexed as to why I enjoyed it so much. Me too. It sounds horrendous. I think it was a combination of a bunch of things. I absolutely adored the classes I was taking (GNST500 & COMS501) and I had recently moved into a cute little apartment in Kensington. I had this huge, comfortable, lazy-boy chair I would study in at home. I was also getting married later that summer, but the pressure was off, because my mom was doing most of the planning for it. So I guess the combination of many great things made for my all-time favorite semester at the University of Calgary.

What was your favourite campus hang out spot?

I loved Brew & Blends in the Kinesiology Building. So much of my Residence Dining Card money went to buying smoothies there! Not only were the smoothies delicious, but the woman working there was the absolute sweetest. She learned my name right away, and would always ask me how I was doing, and how my classes were going. She was like a mom away from home. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a student completing the same degree that you did, what would it be?

I did the 2 plus 2 program in partnership with SAIT— which includes 2 years at the U of C (plus summer school) and 2 years at SAIT, to graduate with both a degree in Communications Studies and a diploma in Broadcasting— and I am so thankful I did. It is a great way to get practical, hands-on skills, and to also get a diploma along with your degree! Whether you do that, or you do an internship, or you volunteer somewhere… just do something. Get your hands dirty. Try something new. Be teachable

How has your career evolved?

I would say that in a lot of ways, I have been on a road of self-discovery these last few years. I have tried my hand at broadcast journalism, public relations, and now, non-profit work. I have both struggled & excelled, felt like a failure and felt like a superstar. Life is funny that way. But through it all, what's been consistent is my desire to help people; to be a blessing, to be a listening ear; to be of help in some way. I am a people person, and love hearing people's life stories, and experiences, and thoughts. This meant that when I was in broadcasting, I especially loved working on human interest stories, and interviewing ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Now, in the non-profit world, I love that my work positively affects thousands and thousands of hungry people every month. I have a heart for the homeless, the orphan, the widow and the needy, and love that the work that I do helps put food in their mouths. 

What is the best thing about your job?

I love getting to work with amazing pastors from all over the world. Because New York City is a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities, I have the privilege of working alongside pastors from Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, India, the Philippines, and many other areas. It is such a joy!

How did your arts degree help you get to where you are now/your current career?

My arts degree taught me about the beauty of communication. It taught me that words matter, and that effective communication is powerful. My degree taught me to explore my own voice, to find out what I want to say, and how I want to say it. It gave me a desire to communicate with passion, enthusiasm, precision and direction. In my current position, I am constantly thinking about communication; how it can be done better, how I can use words to uplift and encourage, how I can foster community, togetherness and growth with the words I use.

Do you have any other thoughts or memories you would like to share?

One thing I wish I did more of during my four years in Calgary is explore the city and its surrounding areas! I wish I would have done more weekend roadtrips, more ski trips, more hikes and shopping days. It can be so easy to get into a routine and stuck in the mundane. Explore! Eat. Try new things. Take day trips and weekend trips and allow yourself to fall in love with your city.