Using creativity in communication to impact people with David Vaz
The guest on the second episode of the "Somos o que Sonhamos (We are what we dream)" podcast is David Vaz, who is no stranger to the studio environment. A recent graduate in Communication Sciences at Católica, he was the general director of Sintoniza-te, the student radio station on the Braga campus, and editor of Diurna., the national newspaper for Católica students.
Proving that dreams can change, David came to study nursing because he wanted to "help people". But in reality, his passion for communication " was always there," and now there's no doubt: "I'm in the right place," he says. For those who may also be faced with the prospect of changing course, the recent graduate gives three pieces of advice: research and experiment with the area, do not care what others say and be fearless.
With the dream of impacting people using creativity in communication, David imagines himself working with the "most creative part of communication, specifically advertising." "I think we have all seen an advert that made an impression on us," he emphasises, recalling one that made a particular impact on him, a MEO Christmas advert featuring a partnership between young people and the elderly, which " does not advertise any kind of product, but conveys a very important message."
Regarding his time at Católica, the student radio station that he reactivated in 2022 is the most special element. "I often joke that Sintoniza-te is my son, my project," David confesses amid laughter.
The idea of reviving the radio station arose among colleagues and "it was almost a second university within the university for me." While he learnt theory in class, the radio was an opportunity to put his knowledge into practice.
"It was thanks to Sintoniza-te that I had some of the best experiences of my life," the recent graduate shares. He highlights the participation in ComiCon, IberAnime and RedBull, as well as the partnership with Sporting Clube de Braga.
He was a student-worker, but he does not see this as an obstacle. On the contrary, he believes that the secret to his success was doing it. "It was thanks to that experience and to valuing the effort of my work that I started paying my own fees and valuing the degree more," he says.
The recent graduate will carry with him into life the lessons and the good times spent, above all, in the Sintoniza-te studios. But it was the semiotics classes with Augusto Soares da Silva that left the biggest impression on him. "It made me see life in a completely different way and I became much more aware of the little things."
At the end of his three-year course, David emphasises UCP's close learning method and how the university gave him the freedom to grow.
Learn more about the Communication Sciences Degree at Católica, in Braga