Shannon Burns’ journey from studying in Niagara College’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television, and Film (BRTF) program to landing her dream job at e-talk is a testament to what passion, patience, and perseverance can achieve in the entertainment industry.

A dynamic radio and television host and content creator from Toronto, Burns graduated from Niagara College’s BRTF program in 2013 and has since made impressive strides in the world of broadcasting and entertainment. She recently achieved a career milestone by landing her dream role as an Entertainment Reporter for Canada’s premier entertainment news show, etalk.

Before coming to NC, Burns found herself uncertain about her future career path, however she had an unwavering passion for pop culture, including movies, music, and entertainment. The turning point came when she attended a college fair and discovered Niagara College’s BRTF program. In that moment, everything clicked, and she knew this was the path she wanted to pursue.

“Because of the well-rounded course load, I was able to focus on what interested me the most, which was Radio and Television Presentation,” said Burns. “The schooling prepared me for what being in the industry would entail and taught me very important lessons around networking and hosting on-air and on TV.”

Burns’ time at NC was filled with hands-on learning and practical experience, helping her secure professional roles early on in her career. In her final year at NC, she secured an internship at radio stations HOT107 and Lite 95.7 in Edmonton, Alberta, which was a pivotal step in her career. Upon graduating, she was hired by the station as a Promotions Coordinator, where she also had the opportunity to fill in on-air. This experience laid the groundwork for her first full-time on-air position as a morning show co-host on Rock 105.3 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

“Being 21 years old in a small Alberta town, on a rock station with a co-host named Poncho was definitely not where I thought my career would take me. I was excited for the challenge,” she said.

A significant moment in Burns’ career came when she won an online contest to become the Cineplex Pre-Show Host. This role allowed her to engage with audiences nationwide by sharing fun facts about upcoming films and interviewing celebrities. She later returned to Edmonton to host the Late Night and Weekend show on 104.9 Virgin Radio. Over the next three years, her talent and dedication helped her progress through various roles at the station, eventually earning her the position of Evening Show Host on CHUM 104.5. After three successful years at CHUM, she landed a National Midday show on Virgin Radio, syndicated across all 12 Virgin stations in Canada.

Burns’ career continued to soar as she became a prominent radio host at iHeartRadio Canada. Her role enabled her to interview high-profile celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Ryan Gosling, and Snoop Dogg.

The onset of the pandemic inspired Shannon to explore new platforms, leading her to leverage TikTok, where she quickly gained over 700,000 followers. Her behind-the-scenes content and pop culture stories resonated with a broad audience, showcasing her ability to adapt and thrive in the digital age.

Burns recently created a TikTok documenting her journey from a BRTF student to landing her dream job as an Entertainment Reporter at etalk, amassing over 283,000 views.

@itsshannonburns

I can’t believe this is happening #dreamjob #tvhost #toronto

♬ The Winner Is – DeVotchKa & Mychael Danna

“Thankfully, hosting a radio show and creating content overlap in themes, so it makes it easier for me to execute both daily,” she said.

As the Entertainment Reporter at etalk, Burns now hosts the nightly entertainment news show and conducts celebrity interviews.

“So far I’ve interviewed Seth Rogen, Rashida Jones, and Josh Hartnett and it’s only been a few weeks,” she said. “This position has been one that I have been manifesting aloud since I was at Niagara College, so it definitely feels like a dream come true.”

When asked for advice for students following a similar path, Shannon emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities that can serve as building blocks for your overall goals and aspirations.

“Be kind to everyone you meet, because the industry in Canada is small and you will most likely cross paths multiple times,” she said, noting that she currently works with several people she attended Niagara College with. “This career takes a lot of hard work, but if you are determined and passionate about the job at hand, you’ll see great results. Every job I’ve done in this industry has come with massive pinch-me moments.”

Burns has also previously dedicated her time to impart wisdom on NC students during the Ask an Alumni Anything series that took place in January 2021.Presented by NC Alumni Relations with support from the NC Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), the initiative gave students an opportunity to pose questions to successful NC alumni, like Burns, via Instagram Live. The sessions are generally 45 minutes to an hour long and are moderated by NCSAC president Tom Price. View the recording below.

Burns also previously shared insights and advice with NC students during the “Ask an Alumni Anything” series in January 2021. Hosted by NC Alumni Relations, with support from the NC Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), this initiative allowed students to connect directly with accomplished alumni like Burns through Instagram Live, offering them a unique opportunity to engage and learn. A recording can be viewed here.

Looking ahead, Shannon hopes to continue building strong relationships with her listeners, viewers, and online followers. She has no plans to stop growing in her impressive career and aims to take on new and unique opportunities.

“I love connecting with people about LGBTQ+ rights and sharing parts of my life while learning about others,” she said. “I would love to explore documentary filmmaking and interviewing not just celebrities, but people who have important and unique stories to share.”

By trusting in her passion and embracing her individuality, Burns has built a remarkable career, inspiring future students to pursue their dreams with confidence and authenticity. As she looks to the future, there is much anticipation for where her exciting and dynamic path will lead her next.

You can follow along with Shannon Burns on her social media channels:

Instagram: itsshannonburns
TikTok: itsshannonburns 

Niagara College’s Giving Tuesday 2023 campaign has been honoured with a silver medal at the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) Prix d’Excellence Awards in the “Best Annual Giving/Giving Day Initiative” category.

The CCAE, a volunteer-led organization, supports educational institutions through networking, learning, and collaboration. The Prix d’Excellence awards celebrate outstanding achievements in educational advancement across Canada.

On November 28, Niagara College’s Giving Tuesday campaign focused on reigniting donor support, combating food insecurity on campus, and showcasing the profound impact of giving on students’ lives. Every dollar raised went directly to the NC Nourishing Minds Fund, managed by the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC). This fund provides essential support, such as free breakfasts on both campuses and digital grocery gift cards for students in need.

This year’s campaign was a shining success. Past Giving Tuesday supporters received heartfelt thanks, and an anonymous donor offered a matching donation. The ambitious goal was to assist 240 students by raising $12,000, but the NC community went above and beyond, raising a record $21,720 for the Nourishing Minds Fund.

“We are thrilled to be awarded silver at the Prix d’Excellence awards,” said Emily O’Connor, Development Officer, Advancement. “Being recognized by our peers nationwide for our Giving Tuesday efforts is an incredible honour and a testament to our dedicated NC community. Thanks to our generous donors, we raised the most money on Giving Tuesday in NC history, all to support Nourishing Minds and our students, and it has now been recognized on a national level.”

The award was presented during a virtual ceremony on June 18. You can watch the recording here, with Niagara College’s recognition at the 10:14 mark.

The Hamilton Spectator and the three Niagara dailies (St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune) released a July 15 profile on NC alumnus Bill Custers (Broadcasting – Radio Television and Film program, 1983) who passed away recently.

Alumni Relations held its inaugural Employee Alumni Summer Celebration at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre on June 25. The event brought together over 50 College employees, who are also NC alumni, for a fun-filled afternoon of celebration, connection and camaraderie.

Sharing in the unique bond that defines the NC community, attendees enjoyed the College’s finest wines, beers, and mocktails, complemented by hors d’oeuvres catered by NC alumni Tim Mackiddie’s Smoke & Barrel (Culinary Management Co-op program, 2006). Celebrating NC’s rich legacy, former classmates got to reconnect as colleagues, reminisce about their student days at NC, and discover new connections among fellow NC alumni.

President Sean Kennedy set the tone with a heartfelt welcome to guests, expressing his pride in leading a college filled with exceptional employees and outstanding alumni.

“These events are a reminder of how special Niagara College is,” said Kennedy. “The NC family exemplifies so many characteristics of what makes the College such a welcoming and caring place. We always strive to hire the very best employees and many of our employees are our incredible NC alumni, which is a great sign for the quality of our graduates, programs, and employees.”

Following his remarks, President Kennedy and guests raised a toast to honour the remarkable alumni and employees at the event.

Vice-President of Advancement, Gord Arbeau, also addressed guests, sharing reflections from a recent trip to the Okanagan region in British Columbia, where he connected with alumni from across the country.

“The feeling in the room tonight mirrors the same feeling we had in the Okanagan with graduates who, even though many graduated 10, 15, or 20 years ago, maintain that unique NC pride and spirit,” he said. “It reminded us of the importance of the special community we’ve built here.”

Arbeau also spotlighted recent activities of the Together Campaign, launched at the Renaissance Gala in April 2024. The campaign aims to support new and expanded facilities, student access, diverse and inclusive learning environments, global competencies and perspectives, and productivity and innovation.

Reflecting on the enthusiasm of employees and alumni eager to contribute, Arbeau announced the new Niagara College Employee Alumni Scholarship of Excellence, offering employees and alumni the opportunity to give back and support an NC student. The fund aims to raise $25,000 to permanently endow at least one student scholarship in perpetuity, in the name of alumni who are current employees at the College. The endowment will provide a $1,000 contribution towards the studies of a student in financial need.

Director of Alumni Relations, Jana Boniferro, echoed this sentiment, noting that many NC employees and alumni frequently inquire about ways to support the College and student success.

“Gord’s announcement on the Employee Alumni Scholarship of Excellence offers a wonderful opportunity to engage and support our students, who once walked in your shoes,” she said to the alumni and employees in the room.

Boniferro also extended special thanks to Alumni Engagement Officer, Tom Price, and Development & Donor Stewardship Event Assistant, Laura Hull, for coordinating the memorable gathering.

Guests celebrated another exciting milestone with the announcement that the College’s alumni community has now reached 125,000 members following this year’s Spring Convocation, further expanding the proud group gathered at the event.

NC employees who are also alumni and interested in supporting the Employee Alumni Scholarship of Excellence can contribute here. On the website, please click on “Payroll Deduction” under “NC Faculty and Staff Giving” on the right side. Then, under the designation of your gift, select “Employee Alumni Scholarship of Excellence” from the dropdown menu. For more information, contact Alumni Relations at [email protected]