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"[Publishing] program is a huge pillar of the industry, bringing the knowledge of our rapidly changing industry not only to the classroom but also to our professional lives. Encouraged by my dreams and my curiosity, I packed my bags, with the goal of in a future becoming a vehicle of progress for small-scale industries."
Aniana María Domínguez Martínez
Publishing master's student in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
I’m the daughter and granddaughter of honest, hardworking, and dreamy Dominicans. The first in the family to study abroad. I am a person with a free spirit and an infinite desire to leave a positive impact on the world; a person who believe that the words and the stories have the power to save people and return hope in life. Now, I’m part of the Master of Publishing program at SFU. I have a degree in Marketing and Communication from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, where I made my studies with a full scholarship, and I graduated with honours. My first master’s degree is in Creative Writing from the University of Salamanca. I have worked as a freelancer, and full-time employee for different types of companies: magazines, press, telecommunication, construction, and education. I am a Spanish editor, marketing specialist, actress, and writer.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?
“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” has always been one of the phrases that caught my attention over the years. The phrase is an encouragement to keep a state of learning and open state of mind, like a child that isn't spoiled by a rigid mindset. This phrase has driven me to always want to be a better person, woman and professional. When I finished my master's degree in Creative Writing, I felt the necessity to reinforce my knowledge about the publishing industry. The publishing industry in my country is small, but the possibilities of our stories are big. This program is a huge pillar of the industry, bringing the knowledge of our rapidly changing industry not only to the classroom but also to our professional lives. Encouraged by my dreams and my curiosity, I packed my bags, with the goal of in a future becoming a vehicle of progress for small-scale industries. The educational program and the accolades of the masters were decisive arguments for my decision.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
A practical, comprehensive, and friendly environment to prepare yourself for the publishing industry; having the opportunity to learn from the history behind the business, to all the different stages that compound it. A family united not by blood but by a common passion, where all the members want to rise to the challenge of today and the future.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?
The creative process. Being able to play and experiment with diverse project possibilities. Putting into practice everything we learn in the classroom, giving us the opportunity to prepare for our professional life. I'm not going to lie, it's a lot of work. But when you see the final result, you feel very proud of yourself and the team, and above all, prepared.
HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.
I earned three awards (Southam Graduate Entrance Award, Graduate Fellowship and Ancie & Arthur Fouks Burs Publ), and I think I will never be able to forget the night I received my acceptance letter mentioning the awards, and the way I ran, crying, to tell my parents that we had made it. I have heard many times that it is dumb to worry about the grades. Comments like, "the one who gets 70 and the one who gets 95 at the end got the same diploma". In my humble opinion, I believe this point of view comes from a privilege position. When I was in high school, I asked my mom how I could help them bring money to our home, and she replied: "Your only responsibility is to study, do the best you can with that". All my university degrees have been covered by scholarships and awards; scholarships that I have earned by studying hard. When I got my first award, my mom told me, "I knew you would do it", and she said the same thing when I received my acceptance letter from SFU. It would have been impossible or super hard for me to study the Master of Publishing without these awards, and I'm glad to be able to see how hard work opens doors.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
I have been a nomad, studying around the world, for the last 11 years.
Contact : aniana_dominguez_martinez@sfu.ca