OCNews

Q: What's your name?

A: Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores

Q: What's your hometown?

A: Quito – Ecuador – South America

Q: How did you end up at Okanagan College?

A: Well, I studied for a bachelor's degree in Law in Ecuador. Then, I worked for a while and got my Master's degree in Government and Culture of Organizations at the University of Pamplona. 

When I returned to my country, professional opportunities arose for me. I mean, a Master's degree improved my career. Spain helped me develop my communication and social skills in multicultural environments, and I got essential knowledge about myself and changed my life's perspective. 

After working for nearly ten years in constitutional law, I took a sabbatical. But before doing it, I asked myself what else I would have studied if I had not studied law. Suddenly, I remembered when I was 18 years old, one of my career options was marketing. Then I traveled to study for a two-year diploma in marketing and communications in Sydney – Australia. 

In 2020, Covid arose, and I went back home but finished my diploma online. Furthermore, I worked as a lawyer in the real estate industry. Applying marketing tools by designing my marketing plan to promote legal services in the real estate industry was the beginning of a new path in my career.

Then, I did deep research into real opportunities in the market abroad. As a result, I decided to combine marketing with communications. Also, I already had experience abroad and wanted to keep it. As I had already lived in a big city like Sydney, I wanted to stay in a smaller one. Then I found the Okanagan College in Kelowna, which I like. 

Okanagan is a special city for me. It has beautiful mountains to visit or practice ski, wineries, and the lake, and the views in winter are amazing. 

Now I am studying a two-year in communications and journalism. It will help me introduce the marketing and communication industry.

Q: How did you choose your program?

A: I needed to complete my marketing path by choosing communications. I liked the contents of the Okanagan College's communications and journalism diploma. 

Q: What is your area of interest?

A: I would love to get involved in marketing research by identifying opportunities for new products or designing marketing plans and campaigns.

On the other hand, public relations could be another option for me. I am curious about the organization's communication strategies through different media channels. 

Q: What do you like most about the program?

A: I like studying a program in English, which is very challenging for me. That is what I like the most.

Q: Favourite class experience?

A: Learning to write short news stories.

Q: Who gave you the best advice you ever received?

A: Ruth Flores, my mother, encouraged me to explore new opportunities abroad. Susana Oleas, my sister-in-law, always recommended connecting with me to listen and realize where I should go to achieve my goals. My mentor, Alfredo Marquez, taught me tools for focusing, rebuilding projects, and executing them in new markets and industries. 

Q: What advice do you have for new OC students?

A: There will be moments when everyone needs to make professional changes. If a change is required, do it.

Q: Where are you the happiest?

A: Looking at the ocean at the beach in summer or a lake with mountains in the background in winter. Both are my favorite places. 

Q: What matters most to you right now?

A: Enjoying my current experience of studying abroad to continue my path forward in the marketing and communications industry. Discovering and learning about Canadian culture to increase my growth as a human being. Getting knowledge about the cooperate culture in Canadian organizations. 

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: Enjoying life by working as an expert in marketing and communications, traveling with my family or friends, and living in front of the ocean or a vast lake with mountains.