Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) Spec. Honours (Management Stream)

A professor once said something that has always resonated with me: He said that you can either learn about what is wrong with the world or you can figure out how to fix it. The Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program at York University has given me the tools necessary to identify problems and learn how to effectively combat the critical issues we face today. I am currently in my 3rd year of study, pursuing the BPA with a specialization in Management. All throughout high school I was a business student. From Economics to Personal Finance, I took nearly every business course my school offered. At the same time, I had a strong interest in political affairs and knew I wanted to one day pursue a career in government or work for a nonprofit organization. In my senior year, my neighbor, whom I now consider my mentor, introduced me to the program, as he was one of the first ever graduates of the Bachelor of Public Administration. This program served as the perfect balance between my interests and educational background. Three years later, I now realize that joining the York community was the best decision I have ever made.

The BPA program itself is rooted in career management. From my very first class, I realized that this program does not simply prepare you for the next couple months in the semester or the next few years of your degree, rather, it prepares you for your long term career journey. Courses are taught by professors, who have themselves worked in the field. They bring this experience into the classroom and are always open to advising students about their own potential career options. Being one of the smaller Liberal Arts and Professional Studies programs at York, we use our size to our advantage. It is evident that the focus is quality rather than quantity, and this intimacy cultivates an environment, which allows students to build personal relationships with classmates and faculty members. Additionally, the program allows students to experience seminar-like classes much earlier on in their studies.

The interdisciplinary nature of the core course requirements provides students with knowledge in specialized areas over variety of topics such as Economics, Statistics, Administrative Studies, Public Law and Canadian Government. The School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) is extremely active in providing students with professional career building workshops and information sessions. SPPA’s strong alumni base prides itself on being one of the best at York University, as they are always willing to assist students and exchange stories on how they acquired their positions.

I became actively involved in the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA), serving as the Director of recruitment in my second year, and was honored to continue this involvement as Vice-President in my third year. Through events such as the Ottawa Trip, MP Meet and Greets, Speaker Panels and Superior Court of Justice/ City Hall Tours, we aim to bring together students from various streams of the BPA as well as students from various other programs: to network, build friendships and visualize where they want their degree to take them. Partnering with SPPA, the Graduate Students Association of Public Policy, Administration and Law (GSAPPAL), York University’s Career Centre and a variety of other student clubs, has allowed us to host events that are better catered to students’ interests. I am so grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful team. I encourage everyone to participate and get involved in whatever way you can, and with whatever organization that speaks to you.

The BPA program and my involvement with the student association have allowed me to better understand the opportunities available to me after my degree. Furthermore, it helped me obtain an offer of employment with the Ministry of Education as an Office Assistant for the summer of 2015 through the Ontario Public Service Summer Student Experience program.

All in all, to me, my degree is not an abstract group of theories and processes, but tangible programs and policies that affect me every day. Public Administration to me, is the friendships I have made with people I now consider my family. It is the relationships I’ve built with faculty members because they have always made themselves easily accessible and approachable. It is the countless networking events and opportunities that have allowed me to meet students in my program and alumni in the workforce. My degree makes me feel confident to know that I will do something one day to better the country – if that is adapting policy or creating social programs, I know I will be making a difference on a large scale and that is pretty exciting. - Munisha Basiram