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.
“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 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
