Sonia Pang (CAS ’15) is the Senior Brand Enterprise Partnerships Specialist at Shutterstock, a stock media and editing tools provider headquartered in New York City. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 2015, double-majoring in Political Science and Contemporary Asian Studies. Sonia was involved in several student organizations during her time as an undergraduate student. She was on the organizing team for the INDePth Conference at the Asian Institute, was involved in the University of Toronto Student Union, and served as the President for the University of Toronto China Care Fund.
Through the support of the Contemporary Asian Studies program, she landed her first job as a Researcher on Internet Security at Psiphon Inc., an Information Services company co-founded by the Citizen Lab and the University of Toronto. Since then, she has transitioned from Political Science into Sales and Marketing.
What were the highlights of your time at the Asian Institute?
I always remember the Asian Institute as a supportive, close-knit community. I recalled how everyone, from students to staff and faculty members, would support each other. I was also on the Organizing Committee for the INDePth Conference. This experience gave me the opportunities to speak with faculty members and experts from the film industry, where my career interest lies.
How did your degree help you with your current career?
I consider the Contemporary Asian Studies program as the pivotal force that paved the way for my career interests in film and technology. The research courses that I took in CAS gave me an in-depth understanding of political movements, governments, and diverse cultural backgrounds through critical lenses. I did not see the relation between my study and my career then, but now I am able to connect the dots between what I studied and the content that I create.
I took a CAS course on Asian film; that was when I realized my passion for film and cinema. Thanks to the CAS courses that I took, I was able to find my interests in content creation and technology. Between my job at Shutterstock and Psiphon, I also worked with the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival to create a documentary. I never thought there was a possibility to combine my passions for technology and film into a job, and here I am working on the two things that I love the most!
What’s your favorite aspect of your job?
I enjoy the fast-paced, creative, and innovative environment of the tech industry. Working at Shutterstock has given me the creative freedom and ownership to produce different ideas and projects. The critical thinking training that I undertook in CAS enables me to approach industry topics in creative and critical ways. The knowledge and skills that I gained in CAS are all coming together now with the work that I do.
What was your first job after graduation?
After graduation, I started working at Psiphon Inc. My biggest piece of advice is to never be afraid to apply for opportunities where you think your experiences may not align. Be bold and courageous. I went into a field that was completely unrelated to my studies. With that said, I was able to excel by applying the critical thinking skills gained through CAS, and learned about prioritization and adaptability.
Is there a current project or career achievement that you would like to share?
My short film was premiered at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival on November 2017! You can find the link to the film here: https://vimeo.com/248743964
What advice would you give to university students that you wish you had known?
Don’t be afraid to ask for and take opportunities. Always prepare yourself with a can-do mentality, to be willing to keep learning and trying. I used to always ask myself “what if.” Then one time, I just said “whatever” and applied to Psiphon Inc., and I got the job!