Road to success: How a Master of Public Policy and Administration grad leveraged a flexible degree to carve her own path

After completing her undergraduate degree in criminology, with a minor in political science, at Ontario Tech University in 2020, Emma Joseph knew exactly what she was looking for in a Masters program. 

Emma had previously worked at the City of Oshawa as part of their Innovation and Transformation branch, but she had a desire to gain more practical, hands-on experience that aligned with her career aspirations. Coming from a theoretical program, she was eager to enter into a program that prepared her for the workforce and gain the practical experience needed to thrive in real-life situations. 

Pursuing graduate studies

When she began looking into graduate programs, TMU’s Masters in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program caught her attention. She felt that the program curriculum and pathway options  complemented her work experience and let her keep open all potential career options that were of interest to her. Despite getting accepted into other programs, she anxiously awaited to hear back from the MPPA program. 

The MPPA is an innovative program that gives students the advantage of engaging with business, government and community agencies. It was the first program in Canada to earn accreditation from the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA), and the program helps prepare graduates for careers in public service at all levels of government, the non-profit sector, and private sector organizations with significant relationships with government and international organizations.

Bridging the gap between classroom and career

For Emma, one of the biggest draws of the program was not only the knowledge she would gain, but the focus on experiential learning that helps build the skills needed to easily transition into the workplace. Whether it was the emphasis on their placement program, how it was a one-year program with a co-op option, or the deep departmental collaboration to ensure coordination and proper execution of the program, Emma was able to achieve her goal of gaining work experience through many supports before doing it alone. 

One of the key skills that Emma took away from her program, and one that she still applies today, is the ability to think on the spot. Emma credits the briefing exercise conducted by Professor Janet Lum as one major learning tool to help her hone this skill. Students would be given 15 minutes to read about an issue, and then 20 minutes to draft a brief. The purpose of the exercise was to teach students where to look for information, and how to analyze and synthesize information. 

“I still think about those exercises, it was such a valuable skill to learn and develop,” says Emma. “Not everyone can properly read policy and documents. Arts trained me for that.”

The co-op advantage

When it came time to find a co-op placement, Emma was prepared for the job search process. During her second semester in the program. Emma was able to secure an internship with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) within the Strategic and Service Policy Branch (SSPB). Emma recalls how her masters was vital in securing an offer after her placement was coming to an end.

“Having my master’s degree definitely gave me a competitive edge at that time, and was critical in helping me land a full-time job after graduating,” says Emma. “It showed that I had the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in public service.”

She continues to work as a policy analyst for ESDC and has been with the ESDC for 5 years. Emma refers to the strong collaboration and coordination within the Department of Public Policy and Administration as a key factor in supporting her academic and professional success.

You can learn more about the MPPA program here and the other graduate programs at TMU Faculty of Arts here.