Summer Student
Agriculture Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

Clerical Assistant
Statistics Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

After finishing my Bachelor's degree in Economics in 1993, a shortage of work made it difficult to find work in my field. I applied to various government jobs and eventually obtained a determinate clerical position with Statistics Canada. I remember being so relieved and excited when I was offered the position, even if the salary and the job was not at all what I had envisioned for my career. It seems simple now, but looking back, I had to learn very quickly how to perform simple administrative tasks. After several months, I was no longer finding my job challenging and my new quest was to become indeterminate. With the help from senior management, I obtained an opportunity to work in an area of Agriculture Statistics that provided me with the skills in data analysis that I needed in order to apply for positions in the technical and analytical fields. This assignment is the reason I was successful in a competition as a Junior Technical Officer with the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada and became an indeterminate public service employee in November 1994.

Junior Technical Officer
Statistics Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

This position is significant because it is at this point that I knew that I wanted to pursue data and statistical analysis further and that a career in economics would be suitable for me - but it would take some time to get there.

Product Manager
Statistics Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

This is possibly the most significant position in my career. The skills and knowledge I acquired during this time have helped me immensely in moving ahead in the public service. I was responsible for the production of the 1996 Census Area Profiles data products. It was a fast paced environment with strict deadlines and so many pieces of the project were inter-dependent. I had to work with various subject-matter experts and had to provide regular status updates to management. I was exposed to project management, supervising staff, working in a team environment - all of which have allowed me to progress in my career. I loved this job!

Information Management Analyst
Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

Later, I was responsible for managing the development of on-line reporting modules for First Nations Communities.

Although I was very reluctant to leave Statistics Canada, I could not possibly turn down the opportunity to move from a technical to an analytical field.

My years at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada are some of my most memorable. I had the opportunity to travel across Canada, visit First Nations communities, work with regional offices and First Nations Organizations and lead major projects under the Government On-line Initiative.

I will also never forget my Director, the late Mr. Ravi Shankar, who served as my mentor. Not realizing it at the time, I understand now why he would insist that I deliver the presentations to senior management and in front of audiences at conferences. Although terrifying to me at that time, this was his way of ensuring that his staff were recognized for their work and that they gained the skills required to move up in the public service. To this day, I still think of Ravi as the most influential person in my career and have him to thank for my continued success.

Senior Analyst
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

I was promoted after successfully completing a selection process. My new job was to lead the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) intergovernmental cooperation file.

I decided to take an assignment with PWGSC, because of my interest in working on intergovernmental files. The directorate I worked for was responsible for supporting PWGSC's Deputy Minister and Minister's offices for international and federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) government collaboration and partnership initiatives and activities. I planned several Deputy Minister level FPT meetings and events and had the opportunity to sit at the table with Deputy Ministers from every province. The most notable event would be the 2005 FPT meeting in Iqaluit, Nunavut. My experience working with other levels of government is an important aspect of my career and has proven to be an asset for other jobs following my tenure with PWGSC.

This job gave me a good understanding of working at the corporate level and allowed me to know a little bit about every branch in the department.

Business Advisor to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC)
Toronto, Ontario

I took a huge step when I decided to move from Ottawa to Toronto. I accepted to join the ORC on an Interchange Canada Assignment. The Interchange assignment allowed me to keep my current level and status of public service employee while working in a provincial agency. The experience I gained in working with senior executives and leading FPT initiatives at PWGSC is what helped me obtain the position of a Business Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer (COO ).

It is difficult to believe all the things I did at the ORC. I wrote and managed the production of two of the corporations Annual Reports which are still on-line. I gave presentations to senior executives and the Board of Directors. I developed a business case framework and a process improvement project. Perhaps the most notable of my accomplishments would be the development of Key Performance Indicators and a performance Dashboard for the Corporation, still in use today. After a few months, I was also the business advisor for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Chief, Labour Market Information and Occupational Analysis
Service Canada
Toronto, Ontario

Senior Policy Advisor
Health Canada
Ontario Region - Toronto

Due to my relocation to Toronto, I was looking for a position that would allow me to return to the Public Service at my previous level within the Ontario region. I was very happy when I found out about this position and I consequently successfully applied. Having worked in the National Headquarters area for the most part of my career, there was an adjustment period to being in the region. However, in time I came to value the operational nature of the work and the front-line responsibility for delivering the program on behalf of the Branch. I have now been with Health Canada in the Ontario Region for almost two years. I have gained an appreciation for the work that is conducted in regional offices and understand how they directly support the mandate of the department. I also have a good understanding of our regional stakeholders - the industry, provincial governments, and consumer groups - and have a clearer sense of their views.