Elisa Pugliese, Master of Arts, Public Policy and Administration

What drew you to the Public Policy and Administration?

Before enrolling in the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA), I worked in international development after completing a bachelor’s degree in the Peace, Conflict and Justice program at the University of Toronto. While I enjoyed working on Canadian-led projects with an international scope, I realized that I wanted to learn more about domestic policy and its application across different levels of government.

Top 3 reasons to study Public Policy:

1. You gain a better understanding of the complex social, political, and economic dimensions of policy decision-making,
2. You are able to critically examine policies and understand how each stage of the policy cycle can support successful implementation,
3. You learn to effectively evaluate previous or current policies and identify how future policy development can be improved and reformed.

What was the highlight of your experience?

The highlight of my time in the MPPA was the experiential learning I received as a co-op student working on Ontario’s Council of the Federation team at the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs. I connected what I learned in the classroom while developing various briefing and communiqué materials to support the Premier’s role as the Chair of the Council of the Federation.

What was the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge for me was finding helpful strategies to manage my various work, volunteer, and academic responsibilities as a full-time student. I had many rewarding leadership and external engagement opportunities that supplemented my coursework, but it could certainly be overwhelming at times! Having a supportive network makes a huge difference during some of the more hectic periods that inevitably occur when completing a master’s degree.

What skills are you taking into the workplace?

The academic and experiential learning I received while completing the MPPA taught me a great deal about how to be a good leader and teammate; manage time effectively; consider all the potential implications of a potential policy decision; and develop informed, evidence-based policy recommendations.

What’s next for you? 

Following the completion of my degree, I will be returning to the intergovernmental relations space as a policy analyst at the Ontario government’s Ministry of Health.