On Saturday, November 14th, 2020, Carleton is celebrating our Fall graduates! Celebrations have moved online this year, and we would like to take the opportunity to celebrate all of our outstanding NPSIA graduates of 2020. We’ve asked Master’s of International Affairs grad, Karly Hurlock, to reflect on her time at Carleton and her memories of NPSIA.
If you could choose one word to sum up your time at NPSIA, what is it and why?
If I could choose one word to sum up my time at NPSIA it would be “formative”. While at NPSIA, I had the opportunity to participate in courses and seminars, present my work at conferences, write for an online publication, research at a think tank, and work for the federal government—all of which served to foster my development, both academically and professionally. The MA Program at NPSIA is designed to prepare you for the “real world” of working in international affairs, with relevant courses that teach you how to analyze, implement, and evaluate policies and programs, as well as the opportunity to pursue internships and co-op placements that provide an unmatched hands-on learning experience. I feel that I left NPSIA fully prepared to start my career in international affairs in the federal public service.
What is your favourite NPSIA memory?
My favourite NPSIA memory was attending French classes with one of my friends in the MA Program. The language requirement can seem daunting to those who do not have a lot of second language experience—myself included—but if you lean into it, it can be fun and really rewarding. I was lucky enough to take my French courses with my close friend, which made it easier to keep one another accountable and to have some laughs along the way. Leaving NPSIA with more French language experience than I came with has proven to be one of the most valuable skills I gained from my time in the MA Program.
What was your favourite course or who was your favourite professor?
My favourite course was International Labour Migration (Selected Topics in International Economic Policy) with Professor Meredith Lilly. My primary interest in international affairs is international migration and this is one of the few courses that I had the opportunity to take that dealt directly with topics of migration. I would recommend taking any class with Professor Lilly, as she is a fantastic lecturer and incredibly supportive of her students. She has so much knowledge to share and she always creates space for students to explore the topics they are most interested in.
What was the most important lesson you learned during your time at NPSIA?
The most important lesson I learned during my time at NPSIA is to always be your own advocate. Whether it is asking your professor if you can write your assignment on a topic you are passionate about, or asking your manager if you could extend your co-op position for another term, you are the only one with the power to shape your grad school experience into what you want it to be. If you are looking to get the most out of your NPSIA experience, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
What’s next for you?
After finishing at NPSIA this summer, I transitioned from a student position to an indeterminate position at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. Currently, I am a policy analyst in the department’s Admissibility Branch, where I am working on policies related to COVID-19 border restrictions and re-opening measures. I’m looking forward to having a long, fulfilling career in the public service, where I can continue to use the skills and knowledge I learned at NPSIA and work on files that I am passionate about.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the NPSIA community?
For new and prospective students at NPSIA—don’t take your time in grad school for granted, as the one or two years you will spend at NPSIA will fly by! Take advantage of all of the opportunities afforded to you by virtue of being a NPSIA student—participate in co-op, stay truly engaged in your courses and/or your research, and don’t underestimate the power of making good friends and a strong network of connections in grad school.