b'INTERNSHIP PROGRAMI was young, I was looking for employ-ment, and I was trying to find direction in my life, Taylor recalls. I didnt have any real experience and I wasnt really knowl-edgeable about how the outside world works. So I sought direction and wisdom from other places.An opportunity soon presented itself when Taylor learned about CCABs internship program. After getting to know more about the organization, he applied to partici-pate in it. His application was approved, and he received a six-month residency at CBC Radio. For Tayloror any aspiring young reporterit represented a windfall. Working at the venerable public broad-caster taught him a host of skills and gaveDrew Hayden Taylor credits his CCAB internship at CBC for helping him kickstart his career as a him the opportunity to apply his talent tofilmmaker, playwright, author and columnistseveral high-profile radio shows.I just learned so much theretheres adeadline and with the audience in mind,footing at a time when many people huge difference between what you cansays Taylor.could use a helping hand. There are learn in an academic environment andyoung people who have the talent and what you learn in a practical environment,[The CCAB internship provided] a greatthe ambition, but who need working says Taylor. At CBC, I was moved aroundopportunity for young people to learnexperience in their field, and CCABs to several shows like Metro Morning andthe realities and the practicality of the Ontario Morning, and I had differentwork environment theyve chosen,internship program filled that gap.responsibilities in each. That opened meTaylor adds, thanking CCAB for showing up to the wonders and excitement ofhim faith and enthusiasm early on inAs they say, says Taylor, mighty oaks working in live information radio. his career. come from little acorns. CBC was my first real serious opportunity at a job that Throughout his internship, Taylor wouldWhile CCAB and its internship programbasically provided me with the direction, meet regularly with his contact at CBCwas just one opportunity of many leadingfinancing and training that Ive taken with to expand his knowledge and make theto Taylors subsequent success, it playedme over the last 35 years. It was a huge most of his time with the broadcaster. Bya key role in getting him on the rightpayoff for me and, I hope, for CCAB.the end of his time there, he was able to leverage his experience in various creative fields. He also later returned to CBC on a regular basis to lend his voice to on-air commentaries and shows. Ive always kept my big toe in the sea of radio. It was the first job that made me comfortable and inspired me way back when, Taylor says. I became a novelist and playwright and all these different things, but I still have a special fondness for radio. And every once in a while, somehow I manage to find a way to go back and do something interesting.IMPORTANT SPRINGBOARDIt has been many years since Taylor wrapped up his internship with CBC. Yet after entertaining audiences around the globe, it remains an experience that. .continues to inform and feed his love for creative work. Theres so much out there Ive done, and I do believe the springboard to all of that was my time at CBC because it taught me to write on Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT 95'