My name is Ilanna Barkusky, and I am a fourth-year student at the University of British Columbia studying in the Faculty of Arts and majoring in Political Science, with my academic and professional interests intersecting. It is my intention that my studies will compliment and help diversify my professional ambitions and accomplishments. I have worked as a creative freelance professional for three years in the action sports industry providing photography and writing services to various commercial and editorial clients. As such, during my second year of studies at the university I began taking winter semesters online in order to balance and work towards my academic and professional goals simultaneously.

On the academic side of things, I am most passionate within my field of study about broadening my knowledge and continuing to learn about International Relations and Global Affairs. My rather unorthodox path through university has also resulted in developed interest in many subjects beyond my degree program. While I have had to navigate the growth and development of my own professional goals and aspirations, courses that I have studied in the Sauder School of Business regarding Entrepreneurship and Innovation Leadership have been especially rewarding experiences. Furthermore, my own shift towards taking distance education courses has resulted in being able to study many courses within the Earth and Ocean Sciences department, as learning about environments and ecosystems has always been an interest of mine.

I also maintain a blog on my website that I have begun to keep up with more diligently. That space has become a way to continuously document my professional achievements, and as such I have used it to post recent photos that have been published, finished advertising campaigns as well as articles documenting my work. If you would like to check that out, here is the link! http://www.ilannabarkusky.com/blog/