Where are they now? Featuring Debra Arbec
The Insider can proudly announce that CBC Anchor and Journalist, Debra Arbec, was a Vanier College graduate. The former student has taken the time out of her busy schedule to re-live her Vanier College years. Here is what she so generously shared..
Why did you choose to come to Vanier?
‘’It was my top choice. I went to high school in Joliette which is outside of Montreal. I didn’t know the city very well and when I started doing some research about where I would want to be, Vanier had this pastoral campus environment which I really liked. There was greenspace, they had sports teams, and I was very much into sports and later joined the swim team. It just looked like a campus that was going to be the right fit for me because I did come from outside the city, attended a very small high school – we were 400 students – so coming into Montreal was going to be a big step for me.’’
What program were you in?
‘’I was on track to go into health sciences. I was considering medicine but at the same time, aeronautics and marine biology interested me. But, I understood that the health sciences program at Vanier was an excellent one, so I applied and I got in. I almost finished my DEC and then I took an elective…’’
What did your social life look like at Vanier?
‘’From going from being very social with lots of friends in high school to coming to Montreal and knowing no one, I felt very isolated. At first I felt like an outsider at Vanier and that was daunting. I was never overly-confident in terms of being social. I did eventually make friends though, first my lab partner in chemistry and then slowly I met more. Later, when I joined the swim team, that’s where I found an opportunity to be more social.
You mentioned earlier that you joined the swim team. Can you talk about what that experience was like?
‘’It was awesome! I wasn’t the star of the team by any sense but I joined the team in my second semester and I was a strong swimmer. It was a lot of work. I lived in Cote-Des-Neiges at the time and I had to ride my bike to campus. Practices were early in the morning 3-4 times a week and some of them were in the afternoon. Races were on the weekends. So, it was intense, but it was so much fun. I really enjoyed it and I would encourage anybody to do the same. When I first moved to Montreal, it was a big adjustment for me. I moved into an apartment with my sister and I didn’t know anybody in my neighborhood. A couple of people I went to high school with went to Vanier too but we didn’t see each other. So I realized very quickly that I needed to be part of some kind of collegial activity. [My involvement with the swim team] developed a sense of discipline that I carry with me today.’’
How did journalism enter the picture?
‘’I took an elective in documentary film. And I fell in love. I think I was in my last year when I said, “Oh my gosh, this is something that has everything that appeals to me”. Growing up, my family was very much involved in long term care. I enjoyed having conversations with elderly people and I loved to learn their stories. Learning that I could interview people and tell their stories for a living, appealed to me. The writing and visual aspects were also very interesting. I always had a passion for photography. So, all of a sudden, this shift happened in my last year at Vanier and I said “That’s it! I’m going to switch from health sciences to creative arts.”
Is there a teacher that had a positive impact on you?
‘’There were two. One was a chemistry prof who was very supportive. When I decided I was going to leave science, he was concerned about my decision. He took the time to talk with me, to ensure I was making the right decision. And I thought that was really important because it allowed me to have a conversation with someone I respected and who ultimately understood my decision. Then, when I switched over into creative arts, it was my documentary film professor who mentored me through that shift into creative arts. He helped prepare me to become the journalist I am today. He was very kind, supportive and encouraged us.’’
Cegep for a lot of students is a time of reflection. Many people question what it is they want to pursue and you were able to find that. With that bein said, how did Vanier as a whole impact that choice you made?
‘’I know that a lot of people think “CEGEP! In other provinces you can go right from high school to university. What’s the deal with CEGEP?” Well, I believe it is the time to explore and take different courses that can force you outside of your comfort zone and outside of your core courses. I took German and Spanish courses, for example, and I used both languages to travel. College is a time to reflect, a time to learn about who you are, consider other perspectives and try new things. Yes, you need to focus on your future education but you also have a chance to explore. And because of exploring, I found a profession that I love and excel at, which would have never happened had I not gone to Vanier.’’
What other memories do you remember about Vanier?
‘’I remember we had these common areas where students would play cards, it was a really big thing back-in-the-day. I also remember the cafeteria had these bagels with bacon and cheese which were the most amazing things I’d ever eaten!’’
What advice would you give to current and future Vanier College students?
‘’There’s so much pressure about what you want to do as a career. And right now, the economy is difficult, there aren’t a ton of opportunities out there. So my advice to people is to talk! Talk to your friends, your mentors, your family. Don’t keep the pressure all built up inside. Pressure builds. So, find an outlet whether it be through profs, advisers or friends and family. I took advantage of advisers and it was very helpful in my career path. And even if you are like me when I was at Vanier, a wall-flower, try to open up and let some of the campus life in. Try and put your phone down and communicate with the people around you.’’
To conclude this interview, The Insider would like to thank Debra Arbec for being the first alumni to kick-start our Vanier Alumni features of the 2025 Fall semester.
