What have you found most beneficial about the specific degree program you completed at McMaster?
The Honours BA in Political Science program at McMaster equipped me with extremely valuable knowledge and critical thinking skills. The multidisciplinary nature of the program provided me with an understanding of a wide range of topics in areas such as public policy, government administration, international affairs, and law. Therefore, one of the most significant aspects of my program was that it gave me a 360-degree exposure to the subject I decided to study more deeply. I truly owe my sense of perspective to my degree!
In your opinion, what is the value of a Social Sciences degree?
I measure the value of a Social Sciences degree by viewing it as a discipline which allows you to closely examine relevant topics and issues that impact societies. The study and analysis of societal aspects undertaken while completing a Social Sciences degree makes you see life differently, and as a result, approach life differently.
It allows you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself – and figure out how to place yourself in the broader society that surrounds you. After graduation, you will surely realize that you’re able to apply the vast academic knowledge obtained from your Social Sciences degree to absolutely any environment you enter in life moving forward!
What advice would you give to a current Social Sciences student who is exploring career options?
Be strategic, curious, and open to possibilities! I truly believe that instead of solely aiming to follow a strict career plan, it is more valuable to overall have a broad sense of where you would like to see yourself in the future. Having this mindset ensures that you don’t fall into the trap of placing unnecessary limitations on yourself or deliberately miss out on unexpected opportunities that may appear along your career journey. One thing I’ve learned and accepted is that a career will not always be a linear route.
But, as a Social Sciences student, you are equipped to use your skills to introspect in order to create your own career path – a personalized career path considering your own unique interests, talents, goals, and values as an individual. So, I would say, invest time in working towards creating your own definition of career success and confidently go out there to begin your exciting journey!
How did completing an internship help shape your career planning or your post-graduation journey?
Towards the end of my second year, I began an internship in the Ontario Public Service. I had always aspired to work in public service and government administration after my graduation. Therefore, I am sincerely grateful to the Office of Experiential Education team for their tremendous support in assisting me in beginning my career journey with this wonderful internship while I was still a student.
This experience opened doors to a dream pathway as I’ve now entered the Federal Public Service and successfully completed my MA in Political Science from the University of Windsor! Overall, the internship provided by the Office of Experiential Education truly further strengthened my aspirations for building a dedicated long-term career in public service and government administration!