Service Canada Benefits Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada
Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration & Law, Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) 2015

I graduated from Western University with an Honors BA specialization in political science, focusing on Canadian and provincial politics. During this time, I gained experience through the Federal Student Work Experience program working for the Canada Border Services Agency at Pearson Airport. Shortly after, I enrolled in Humber College's graduate certificate program in public administration, which gave me networking access to prospective employers in the public sector, including my current employer, Service Canada, who hired me in 2009. I began my career at Service Canada as a front-end Citizen Services Officer, where I gained valuable knowledge assisting Canadians directly with accessing their federal benefits in various offices in the Toronto Area.

Soon after graduating from the program, I moved into my current role as a Service Canada Benefits Officer specializing in complex Old Age Security processing. A manager later suggested that I’d be a good fit for the Reconsiderations and Appeals team after reviewing my resume, which is where I have been working since 2021.

The competencies I gained from MPPAL helped me gain a clear understanding of the principles of administrative law that I need every day in my current role. I also get the opportunity to write submissions on behalf of the Minister which is then reviewed by a quasi-judicial organization known as the Social Security Tribunal. I am still able to assist Canadians access their federal benefits in a fair and consistent manner, which is incredibly fulfilling to me as someone who chose a career in public service.