Jordan Gray (He/Him)
Team Lead, on-reserve housing at Indigenous Services Canada
- BGInS/2020 – Global Transnational History
Tell us about your current job responsibilities
- Responsible for the administration of federal government investments in on reserve housing in 611 First Nations communities in Canada.
- overseeing the administration of a $3 billion ministerial loan guarantee program, enabling the construction and major repair of First Nations housing.
- pursuing program reforms through work with National financial lending institutions to enable closing the $135 billion housing gap in First Nations communities.
- If you could give advice to yourself while you were university student, what would it be?
When I was in University, I strategically selected courses that would allow me to gain access. Access to experience that I did not possess, access to workplace competencies that I would need for careers that I was interested in pursuing, access to travel opportunities and opportunities to experience and learn about the world views that were different from my own.
When I graduated, I had gone to many parts of the country and went abroad on several occasions in the pursuit of academic research. I gained a clear skill, clear workplace competencies, and was qualified for positions within several different industries.
I was very focussed on the career I would pursue at the conclusion of my studies. Fortunately, the early investment that I made then paid off.
If I were to do it again I would not change much; however, I would allow myself more time to complete my degree and I would’ve been more intentional with my personal relationships. After university, you don’t only have a career but you also live a life. Being able to balance social relationships and professional advancement is a skill that you can hone while completing your studies and that will serve you well in future.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
I’m very thankful that I tried a lot of different things through courses and through campus clubs. By doing that, I was able to focus my interests. I really discovered what energizes me and what I absolutely do not want to spend my time on.
My advice is to keep trying things that are different and things that are outside your comfort zone, and to make the most of your time as a student. The level of access to opportunities and those willing to help you is high as a Carleton student. Don’t take that for granted or expect that it will continue forever.