An interview with Sashka Avanyan 

This month, we interviewed Sashka Avanyan, an Armenia-based filmmaker, and who serves on Stardust's Advisory Board about what it’s like to be a social impact entrepreneur. Sashka’s path shows how we can shape our careers to reflect our values. 

Getting into film

Film work & exploring cross-cultural dynamics

Sashka has had her films screened at multiple small festivals in Montreal and works for McGill University as a videographer and editor, in addition to her work at Creopia in Armenia [LINK HERE].

Sashka was drawn to film as “most fascinating medium for me because I find it to be the one art form closest to a real life experience”. The idea that we sometimes need to find our passions in real life, rather than through academic or digital settings, is reflected in her work. One of her videos below shows the way to connects cross-cultural concepts through film.

The term “social entrepreneurship” can be vague, but this 1998 article by economist Greg Dees helped define it clearly. Dees starts by defining an entrepreneur not as merely a business starter, but someone who “undertakes” a significant endeavor. Dees sees entrepreneurs as people who undertake causes that have been inadequately served by government. 

Social entrepreneurs become change agents in the social sector by:

• "Adopting a mission to create and sustain social value (not just private value), 
• Recognizing and relentlessly pursuing new opportunities to serve that mission, 
• Engaging in a process of continuous innovation, adaptation, and learning, 
• Acting boldly without being limited by resources currently in hand, and
• Exhibiting heightened accountability to the constituencies served and for the outcomes created."

Face-to-Face Conversation in a Digital Age

While Sashka mostly works via outsourcing, and through digital means, she still makes time for in-person interaction. "Face to face interactions will always be my preference so I try to make that happen as much as possible. Although face-to-face interactions are always preferable, digital communication has absolutely facilitated working with a global audience as a social impact entrepreneur. The ease of communication through the internet is of extreme value to me since all of my work revolves around access to that communication and I think that when digital commutation is used with intention the negative side effects fall away almost immediately."

While Sashka and I did conduct this conversation over email, since we are separated by continents, in person interviews and conversations still hold great weight, especially in a digital age. The Creopia Productions video below is about the communication techniques of Armenian brides, as well as gender issues, and is far more powerful because of the personal nature of the interviews.

Diverge from a given path and seek meaning in your work

While Sashka studied philosophy at McGill University, she has looked outside of school for inspiration and to find meaning in her work. The same way Sashka sought a new country in which to do her work, she also was able to imagine a life outside of the traditional bachelor's degree path.

 "Higher education is a very valuable experience and I greatly enjoyed my time at McGill however I know that my energies at the moment are best used for pursuing my goals in Armenia. "

And it's good to know that traditional paths are not closed to you if you decide to explore other interests.

"It was never my original intention to leave university before finishing my degree but more a matter of life telling me where I need to be. It is also a lovely feeling that even if everything doesn't go to plan, I can always return and get that Philosophy Bachelors."

A university education is valuable and can provide great meaning. But it is experiences outside of the classroom. that can give us dreams to pursue.