Media Coverage: Essex Resident Hopes to be Young & Free Ontario’s New Spokesperson

THE ESSEX VOICE – Essex resident, Kim Cox, is one of three finalists in the Young & Free Ontario spokesperson contest. The 20-year old University of Windsor student is studying drama and education at university.

She used her natural and learned skills to put her best video submission forward to earn a spot on the shortlist. It was no easy task as she faced stiff competition from 50 other hopefuls.

Cox made the first cut, as the list was whittled from 50 to nine contestants. As one of the top nine she went to London to participate in an uber-mashup, which included workshops, team-building activities and a formal interview. There, she impressed the judges and earned her spot in the top three.

Cox is very excited. If she wins the contest she will be Young & Free Ontario’s new spokesperson. As such, she would get a salary, use of the Young & Free Ontario vehicle, an Apple MacBook Pro, a HD video camera, and an iPhone with a paid contract for her term as spokesperson – some excellent perks for a
university student.

She would have to carry out her duties as spokesperson while studying at the U of W. It’s a challenge she said she is up to, as she already holds down part-time jobs while continuing her studies.

The main duty of the spokesperson is to be the voice of southwestern Ontario’s 25-and-under crowd, mainly for the Libro
Financial Group and United Communities Credit Union (the supporters of Young & Free Ontario). The spokesperson does so by attending events, producing audio and video podcasts and posting daily blog entries and weekly video diary entries. In addition, there are travel and speaking commitments.

Beyond the excitement of the being Young & Free Ontario’s spokesperson, Cox plans to learn many financial tips if she wins the position, tips she will share with others her age. Some of the financial concerns of young adults, she said, are fees, interest rates and getting an honest opinion.

With respect to the job market, Cox said she has been really lucky in landing jobs. “A lot of my friends though haven’t been so lucky,” she said.

She said that thinking beyond university and graduation many people her age understand that they may have to first look at available jobs outside of Canada to get the experience they need. “You have to be willing to move to get that experience,” she said.

While she hopes to follow in her parents’ footsteps and eventually become a teacher, Cox plans to go where the opportunities take her. She sited public relations work as another job possibility.

While the job of spokesperson has been trimmed to three finalists, Cox and two finalists from Kitchener, it will be left to the public to determine who will win the spot. The public can vote online for their favourite, with one vote allowed per legitimate email address. To vote, you go to www.youngfreeontario.com. The vote closes on July 26 at midnight.

“I’m still in shock to make it to the top three. The other finalists are great people,” Cox said. “I would love to win because this job is an amazing opportunity.”

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