Exploring his career options

Kris applied for several positions and was just about to take an internship with the Government of Alberta when a scholarship drew him instead to the University of Regina. Two years later, armed with a Master’s in Social and Political Thought, he was ready to launch his career.

It was 2009, a time the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called the worst global recession since the end of World War II. Translation: not a lot of jobs for new grads. Kris landed a job as an economic development officer in northern Saskatchewan, working first with the 55 West Enterprise Region and then with the North West Enterprise Region.

“It was interesting, because I got to work with community stakeholders and do all sorts of things. I managed and delivered regional economic development projects, I managed internal and external communications strategy, I developed strategic documents, operational work plans, project plans, strategic plans and board governance policies.”

After two years, Kris realized that if he wanted to be more involved in policy, he needed to look at government—and the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School. “I applied to the Master of Public Policy program at Johnson Shoyama because it offered formal, practical training in public policy.”

When Kris started at Johnson Shoyama in the fall of 2011, he jumped in with both feet. He enjoyed the practical focus of his classes. “Dr. Peter Phillips’ courses was a highlight for me. He provides an ideal perspective as a former-practitioner and an academic—he was formerly an Assistant Deputy Minister, and he also has contributed immensely to the academic world. He taught us everything from how to draft a concise and persuasive briefing note, to complex theories of innovation policy. He was always able to connect the theory to the practice, which made the courses meaningful.”

Kris got involved with the Student Association, serving as Vice President of Operations and Finance. He also served as co-ordinator of The Policy Shop, a student-run consulting group that provides pro bono research, analytic and strategic services to not-for-profit and charity organizations.

“The Policy Shop had been established the previous year, I think, but we launched the first project, which was for the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA). We did a comparative analysis of municipal long-term debt policy in Saskatchewan and an evaluation of the issues and challenges municipalities are experiencing with regard to debt regulations.”

The completed project was well-received by SUMA. It was a team effort that involved fellow Johnson Shoyama students from a mix of disciplines. “It was the people that really made the experience for me,” Kris says. “Everybody was thinking about how to do research that has practical relevance. We all wanted to help shape ideas. It was great to be part of a group like that.”

In 2012, a year into his program, Kris got a job as an Aboriginal economic development officer with Alberta Human Services. “I felt uncomfortable not going to work every day, and I felt pulled to get back into the professional world,” he says. “But going back to work before I finished my thesis made it really difficult to finish.”

Going back to work before finishing his thesis meant it took longer to complete, but it also gave Kris a lot of varied experience in government. “I’ve had four different positions in three years, so I’ve covered a lot of ground and tried a lot of different things.”

After the stint with Human Services, Kris moved to Municipal Affairs as a legislative advisor, then to Aboriginal Relations as a program coordinator. This February, he was seconded as manager of the First Nations Flood Recovery program. Designed to assist First Nations affected by the June 2013 floods, the program seeks ways for the province and First Nations to work together to rebuild and repair flood-affected homes. The flood recovery efforts also aim at achieving provincial safety and construction standards for First Nations infrastructure and housing.

At this point in his career, Kris is focussed on getting experience and engaging with his world on as many issues, in as many ways, as he can. He established a Johnson Shoyama alumni chapter in Edmonton to stay connected to former classmates and instructors, and to make connections with new alumni.

Kris is also taking a more purposeful approach to building his career. “If I had to advise myself five years ago, I would say, ‘first, get your foot in the door.’ Then I would say, ‘think about what you want to do next and not feel like you have to chase every opportunity or every title that pays more.’

“I admit I was a bit naïve about how large organizations work. In my mind, a policy job would mean doing lot of research, advising organizations about solutions. That’s the theory; in reality, the lines between program delivery and policy are much more blurred. As yet, I haven’t worked strictly in policy. I work in a program that involves policy, but my role is technically program delivery.”

In the long-term, Kris is interested in moving into a strategic policy role with government, but he still has an interest in working with non-profits at the executive director level, which would involve strategic policy setting. Another option is to focus on work with smaller organizations that deliver immediate services, a sort of policy in practice. And then there’s his vision of eventually launching a policy consulting practice.

“The work environment we had in The Policy Shop at Johnson Shoyama embodies the kind of consulting environment I envision. I can really see myself working with a team of educated, creative, ambitious people who want to work on policy solutions. I see that as a possibility in my future, but you have to earn the credibility. People want to see that you’ve engaged with the world, that you have the experience.”

With his own career policy taking shape, Kris is building the framework for making career choices that suit his interests and allow him to contribute the most value.