Articles of the Month

My First Work Experience in the Public Service

There it was, written in black and white:

"The Federal Student Work Experience Program offers fair and equal access to student jobs in Canada's Public Service. It provides students with the opportunity to learn about the federal government and gain valuable experience while improving employment skills."

So why not?! A quick check of the admissibility criteria confirmed that I was eligible to apply. All I had to do was complete the online FWESP application form. I remember being very impressed by the long list of programs offered to students. There was the possibility of doing Research and Development for National Defence, a program with the Coast Guard, programs for students studying law, and opportunities in employment offices, just to name a few. In my enthusiasm I must have checked every single one of them.

So that was that! The federal government had my application for the FSWEP program. It was all in their hands now. I waited patiently for several weeks before I received any word from them. In hindsight, this long wait was understandable. The federal government employs more than 7000 students a year, and the Federal Student Work Experience Program is the means by which all these young, eager students apply.

In the beginning, the recruitment process was a little torturous on the nerves. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that the public service is a highly respected employer in the minds of citizens - no other organization hires as many people in Canada! My application was accepted and I was invited to take the written exam, the first true step in the selection process. I passed the exam and was asked to participate in the second portion of the process, the interview. Finally, I was hired and the next thing I knew, I was in charge of a student employment centre.

Then came my first day of work. Picture the situation: I am a student, my colleagues are students, I work with students and I'm supervised by young professionals. My first impression: they are all dynamic, young, initiative-driven, motivated individuals. My first reaction: WOW!

My first day was followed by three days of vigorous training. All training was given by our fellow colleagues already in the public service, whom we refer to collectively as les anciens ("the old guard"). The training we received not only prepared us for the work we would be doing, but also educated us about the different roles and values of the public service.

Full steam ahead: as the Service Canada Centres for Youth Summer 2006 campaign took off, I got settled into my office. Time to get to work! My job was to help local students with their job search by providing résumé writing techniques, information on the job market, information on various services available for youth, and so much more. At the same time, the employers were not forgotten. I posted over 400 job offers on-line and answered many requests from employers looking for help with their hiring process. My tasks also included helping citizens in filing their request for employment insurance. I was given a lot of freedom in managing my own tasks and schedule. This level of liberty demonstrates the professionalism and the adaptability of the SCCY.

So here I am, a week and a half before it's all over. I have really enjoyed my work and appreciated the trust that I received from my employers. I was granted a lot of leeway to do my job, and I loved the people I worked with (especially Alim!). Throughout the summer, I often asked myself "what can this employer contribute to my professional development as compared to other employers?" (especially compared to those in the private sector). Here is the answer: the experience of social responsibility that comes with working for the public service. As it says in the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service, through their work, employees of the public service contribute to the positive functioning of the government, to democracy, and to Canadian society as a whole. This summer, I didn't work with the goal of increasing my company's coffers, but rather to improve the already exemplary services that the Government of Canada offers to Canadian citizens.

Pretty empowering for a summer job, don't you think?