About Angel
Angel Masano is a 4th-year Computer Science bachelor’s student at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and currently a Business Technology Co-op at BCLC. She is passionate about website development, digital illustrations, and research, Angel has combined her technical skills with a growing interest in research. Her key contributions have been to the Cultural Mapping Research Group, where she has been responsible for developing several websites for the research projects.
Growing up, Angel aspired to pursue a career in the arts, specifically as an animator, illustrator, or graphic designer. However, her interests in computers and technology developed during high school through Information Technology and Computer Science classes. She leverages her creative artistry side in any way she can in her program. As a result, she developed her polished art portfolio website as a personal project.
How Angel Learned About the URA Position
Angel first learned about the Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) position from Kate Fagervick, the Student Research and Community Engagement Manager at TRU. In Fall 2023, Angel took a one-credit co-op course, where she completed her first research project on Imposter Syndrome in the workplace. The projects findings were showcased to students and potential employers at TRU’s OLARA Building. Inspired by the collaborative nature of research, Angel’s interest in pursuing further research opportunities at TRU was ignited. After the event, she approached faculty members involved in research and where she met Kate Fagervick, who were present in the event.
After meeting with Kate in December 2023, Angel learned about a research team looking for a WordPress website developer. The opportunity aligned perfectly with her skills, and she jumped at the chance. After submitting samples of her previous web development work to Kate Fagervick, Angel was connected to Dr. William Garrett-Petts, who hired her to join the Cultural Mapping Research Group as a URA in January 2024.
Professional Journey in the Cultural Mapping Research Group
Angel’s journey officially began in January 2024 when she joined the Cultural Mapping Research Group. On her first day, she met with Dr. William Garrett-Petts, who provided her with an extensive collection of materials related to cultural mapping—a topic she had not encountered before joining the team. These resources were essential in helping her understand the scope of the research projects she would be involved in.
During their initial brainstorming session, Dr. Garrett-Petts outlined the need for four websites to support four research projects throughout the Winter 2024 semester. However, less than a week into her role, Dr. Garrett-Petts reached out to share exciting news: after discussions with the research team about potential website development, they realized that more websites were necessary to accommodate all the research projects.
Recognizing the expanded workload, Dr. Garrett-Petts offered Angel the opportunity to extend her position throughout the summer to develop all the required websites, which she gladly accepted. This extension allowed her to deepen her involvement with the research team and make a more significant contribution to the projects.
Throughout this period, Angel maintained regular communication with her co-op coordinator, Leanne Mihalicks. When Leanne suggested that her extended URA position could count as a co-op work term, Angel was pleasantly surprised but eager to seize the opportunity. With the support of Dr. Garrett-Petts, they all agreed that her URA role could also serve as co-op work experience. This transition meant that Angel would not only focus on website development but also become more actively involved in various aspects of the research process. She would have the chance to collaborate with the research team, participate in community engagement activities, and contribute to the overall research work, thereby enhancing her professional experience and broadening her skill set.
Featured Work: DrugAwareBC
One of Angel’s most notable accomplishments during her time with the Cultural Mapping Research Group was the development of the DrugAwareBC website. This project focused on raising awareness about the toxic drug overdose crisis, particularly in the trades sector, as part of the ongoing research project titled “Cultural Mapping Lived/Living Experiences of the Opioid Crisis in BC’s Small Cities”.
Angel was tasked with building the website in just two weeks to prepare it for presentation at the annual Logging Trades Convention hosted on the Kamloops Pow Wow Grounds in May 2024. The attendees interested in the topic were encouraged to visit the website, which serves as a vital resource for further exploration of the project’s findings and ongoing research. The website plays a crucial role in providing detailed information and updates about the project, reinforcing the urgency and relevance of the issue at hand.
Despite the short timeline, Angel successfully created a functional and visually appealing website that promoted public awareness of the opioid crisis in BC. This project demonstrated her ability to work efficiently under pressure and manage new technologies.
Research and Development Experience
Angel’s role with the Cultural Mapping Research Group went beyond website development. She was also responsible for:
- Writing Blog Posts for the News & Events page of the Cultural Mapping Research Group.
- Summarizing Resources for the DrugAwareBC website and contributing written content across various projects.
- Collaborating with Team Members, both locally and internationally, to ensure the smooth progress of website development.
- Writing and Communicating research work to the public at events, meetings, and online through websites and email campaigns.
Angel also attended a workshop on how to code research data and gained valuable insights into the research process. She actively worked on raising awareness about the research work by creating email campaigns and engaging with the growing online community.
Additionally, Angel played a hands-on role in organizing a cultural mapping drawing session, where she interviewed a trades professional about their lived experience of the opioid crisis. This session provided unique insights into how the opioid crisis impacts individuals in trades and contributed to the richness of the research.
Additional Media
Angel attended the Cultural Mapping Showcase in March 2024, which was her first work-related event. Here, she saw cultural maps created by tradespeople, illustrating their lived experiences with the opioid crisis. This event allowed Angel to connect with other team members and gain a deeper understanding of how research and community engagement intersect.
Transition to BCLC: Business Technology Co-op
While working as a URA, Angel was actively looking for co-op opportunities for the summer of 2024. She attended a BCLC Co-op Information Session and applied for a position with their Business Technology team. After a rigorous selection process, Angel was hired as a Business Technology Co-op, marking a significant transition in her career.
In her first few weeks at BCLC, Angel faced the challenge of adjusting to a new environment and managing a large volume of information. However, she quickly adapted by documenting processes and procedures, which helped her stay organized and thrive in her role. Her experience as a URA—collaborating with a diverse team, communicating effectively, and developing strong interpersonal skills—provided a solid foundation for her co-op role at BCLC. The soft skills she honed during her time as a URA proved invaluable.
After completing her co-op at BCLC, Angel Masano plans further to continue her education, with an expected graduation in Winter 2026. Post-graduation, she plans to embark on a career in the tech industry for several years before pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. She returns back to university life, Angel aims to increase her involvement on campus and engage with fellow students, particularly through the research hub and the Career and Experiential Learning department. She is enthusiastic about returning to research, although she is still thoughtful whether her future projects will be independent, collaborating with a research team, or a combination of both. Angel has already begun sharing her journey and experiences with other students, focusing on her involvement in research and her role as a research assistant. She hopes to continue this practice, illustrating how her experiences have shaped her worldview and professional development, leading to valuable work experiences, friendships, and new adventures.
“Angel’s successful transition from research to industry highlights her ability to adapt and learn quickly.”