1st year BPA Specialized Honours Student

My name is Yuvraj S. Aujla, and I am a first-year student in the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program. While it has only been a short time that I have had the honor of being a Lion in the BPA program at York University, being a student of this major has been an enormous learning experience thus far. All courses that are deemed mandatory by the BPA program along with the elective courses offered by the University provide great insight into how Canadian governmental institutions and international governing bodies function.  My overall knowledge base has widened as the program also enabled me to learn about topics such as microeconomics and physics.

The BPA program has also aided me in my search for a suitable career to pursue in the future as the program greatly exposes all its students to the world of public policy and administration. Though I always knew that I would like to work in the public sector, it was not until I began my post-secondary education at York that I could solidly envision what that would look like. The faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) as well as Program Directors ensure that students are well informed about various public sector information sessions and internships. In my short time, I have had the privilege to attend the annual Ontario Public Service breakfast where the Assistant-Deputy Minister of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate was the keynote speaker in addition to attending a two-day conference held by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. Such events and aids from the University have helped alleviate some of the anxiousness that arises from trying to map out your professional life.

Currently, I have the honor of being one of six Junior Ambassadors for the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA), which allows me to participate in extracurriculars which have always been a great part of my schooling experience. Outside of the University, I am a member of the Canadian Army Reserves and am also a Security Guard for the William Osler Health System working at Brampton Civic Hospital. Both roles complement my degree as I not only gain valuable experience, fulfill my passions, and gain various perspectives on key public services, but stimulate my mind as to what policy changes could be made to better the lives of residents. I am also the Director of Legislative Committee for the organization Take a Stand which does policy work for the City of Brampton which are then reviewed by city officials for potential implementation.

Overall, I believe that the Bachelor of Public Administration program at York University is unparalleled by any competing universities and is a genuine developmental experience for its students. My advice for any future students is to fully engage with the events and opportunities offered by the program as they immensely enhance your university experience and open opportunities for you in the future.