Lashaunda Yates
Advisor, Global Affairs Canada
MA Political Science, 2019
My last semester at Carleton (January 2019), I secured an FWSEP with the Kenya, Somalia and South Africa Development team at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) which then led to employment in various temporary forms with the same team post graduating from Carleton. Transitioning from working with as a Project Officer for the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) to Junior Analyst then Development at GAC for a team that covered one of the same countries was a series of fortunate events. Working for GAC has always been a dream of mine and international development work was something I had an interest in. Now two and a half years later I transitioned into a new team at GAC focused on anti-racism and addressing systemic racism and racial discrimination in the department and I secured an indeterminate contract. Working on this file has given me so much experience and exposure and I cannot wait to see what are my future endeavors in the department and Public Service. I am so grateful for my time at Carleton, the professors, staff, and classmates turned friends as well as the rigour of the program for preparing me to be where I am today and to set the foundation for my future.
My time at Carleton and position in the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) helped to prepare me to work in a department with an international focus, the connections and things I’ve learned in classes and working assisted me in my journey to securing employment post-graduation.