A&S grad Jack Denton's success as a journalist is headline-worthy

November 16, 2020 by Sean McNeely - A&S News

Jack Denton likely spent more hours in the Varsity office than in any library or lecture hall.

It was while completing an honours bachelor of arts degree as a member of University College that Denton became a skilled reporter and editor.

In 2017, Denton was the editor-in-chief of the UC Review as well as the news editor of the Varsity. The following year he was the Varsity’s editor-in-chief, catching the eye of the Globe and Mail which he joined in 2019. He’s since launched an exciting international journalism career.

In a reversal of roles, Arts & Science News interviewed Denton about his passion for media, world events and why getting involved in campus causes, publications and groups can make any student’s academic story one worth reading.

What did you study and why?

I studied political science with a focus on comparative politics. I’m a news junkie who loves to follow international affairs. But what really interests me are the powerful forces of national politics and civil society. The political science course at U of T allowed me to try and answer big, practical questions surrounding democratization and the economics of change. I also studied Arabic and Turkish. I’ve long been fascinated by the politics, culture and history of the Middle East, as well as Islam.

One of my most memorable experiences was the two semesters I spent studying Arabic in an intensive course in Jerusalem. I lived in the Old City and immersed myself in the language, culture and fierce politics of the land for a year.

What advice would you give your first-year self?

Do exactly what you want to do and find the communities that you fit in with. There is no reason to feel pressured to do one thing or another. You’re not in high school anymore and there are so many vibrant people and groups on campus that you do yourself a disservice by not putting yourself out there.

University offers a valuable opportunity to meet people from different walks of life, explore career paths you may not have considered and get involved in activism around causes you think are important. In my opinion, this is just as important as the intellectual side of campus.

What have been some of your most memorable experiences at U of T?

I was a cub reporter at the Varsity newspaper when Jordan Peterson was rising to prominence in 2016. Covering the chaos on campus that academic year and seeing the power of personalities up close is really what swept me into journalism.

Some of my most memorable experiences at U of T tie back to campus publications. I don’t want to think about how much of my degree — and especially how many late nights — I spent in the offices of the Varsity, hashing out front pages or covering tough stories. But every hour was worth it.

Editing the University College Review and the undergraduate journal of political science, POLIS, with a fantastic crew of people are also bright spots.

What would you say to someone considering U of T and University College?

U of T offers one of the best academic experiences you can find in Canada, full stop. The University is large and can be unforgiving, but in its size you have unparalleled talent and diversity. The St. George campus is set in the middle of Canada’s largest city — with culture, networking opportunities and nightlife at your doorstep.

I also can’t speak highly enough of University College. UC strikes the right balance in terms of college culture, having its own brand of extracurriculars without being isolated from the rest of the university. The college’s students and groups also have a strong commitment to social justice which is vitally important on campuses.

Can you tell us a little bit about what you're planning for the future?

The work experience I took away from the Varsity has helped me launch a career in journalism, landing me jobs first at the Globe and Mail and then the Financial Times.

Since finishing university, I’ve moved to London, England, where I now work as a reporter for Dow Jones, writing for two publications called Barron’s and MarketWatch. I write about tech, media and telecommunications news and policy in Europe, and plan to continue a career in political and business journalism.

I’m also broadly interested in the world of politics and media. I want to be in a role where I can tell stories that matter and have the possibility to affect change.

Congratulations to U of T's Class of 2020!

Celebrate Convocation 2020 with us and on social media by using the hashtag #UofTGrad20 and tagging @UofTArtSci in your posts. 

Categories