Internship offers potential future in public service

Managers in the federal public service are looking for talented student-employees, and
they've turned to McMaster University for help.

The Leaders Building Leaders internship program is an opportunity for students
entering their final year of study to get practical experience working in the federal
public service while developing the leadership skills necessary to succeed in the field.

“It's a really great opportunity,” said Cristian Rocharodriguez, a fourth-year life
sciences student who took part in the program last summer, hired by the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency in Ottawa. Working in science communications,
Rocharodriguez says that he was tasked with assignments students not in the program
wouldn't normally handle.

“It's all about developing those leadership skills,” he said. “You end up learning far
more than you thought you would.”

Part of Rocharodriguez' responsibilities included revamping the organization's internal
website and assisting team leaders with summarizing large amounts of scientific
research and data. The work often had links to his studies at McMaster.

“I learned so much about current scientific research,” he said. “It really opens up your
mind and shows you that the theory you're learning in school has real-world
applications.”

Rocharodriguez' contract ended up being extended for another term, allowing him to
continue working for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency part-time once he returned
to Hamilton for classes.

“The point is really to build leaders who are capable of taking on the challenge of
working in the federal public service,” said Gisela Oliveira, an employment services
coordinator with the Student Success Centre. “The public service has a long history of
hiring McMaster graduates.”

Students accepted into the program are required to enroll in Political Science 4FG3, a
leadership course designed to enhance their work experience as well as their leadership
capabilities.

Applications for the Leaders Building Leaders: Federal Public Service Leadership
Development Internship must be submitted through OSCAR no later than Dec. 16. The
application package should include a current CV with cover letter and an academic
reference letter. Details are available on OSCAR.