Mei-Ling Pak
- Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Specialization in Health Psychology (2023)
After completing her Honours BA in Psychology with a Specialization in Health Psychology in 2023, Mei-Ling began her career with Public Services and Procurement Canada. She now works as a Supply Officer, contributing to important procurement and public service initiatives.
“It’s ok to change your mind. If you decide that something just isn’t for you, it is not giving up or failing to decide to pivot to something different!
There is nothing wrong with not knowing what you want next. Sometimes it feels like our peers have it all figured out, and some may, but everyone moves through life at their own pace and through their own journey. Make use of the resources that you have access to! Academic Advising, Career Services, Health and Wellness, etc are there to help guide you and help you succeed!”
Brief description of what I do!
I work in research and development procurement. Our work helps Canadian businesses develop and test innovations to support the Government of Canada as well as growth of Canadian businesses and the economy.
What inspired your career path after graduation?
I started at PSPC as an Administrative Assistant for the team doing R&D procurement. I was indirectly supporting Canadian businesses by supporting the team. Seeing the work my colleagues were doing got me interested in it as well and I’m now able to more directly support Canadian businesses. Although some of our work is with larger businesses, most of it is with small and medium Canadian businesses and you can see the positive impact our work has on them and the individuals who run them.
How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?
I never would have imagined a career in the public service before a presentation to one of my classes in first year about the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). I applied for a summer job and was chosen specifically because I was a psychology student, because the hiring manager believed strongly in recruiting people who had the right soft skills. It was because of that presentation and the fact that my major was in psych that I applied and was hired. I knew relatively early on that although I love psychology and helping people, I don’t have the compartmentalization skills to be a counsellor or therapist. It was through FSWEP that I found that I could help people more broadly in other ways for that reason have continued in government.
What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?
The analytical thinking and writing skills that are key in the psychology program have also been key in my career so far. Understanding how to absorb information and how to synthesize it into concise plain language are so valuable. As much as most people hate stats, I have found that it has allowed me to be able to understand research a lot better. The experiences through the program has also given me a lot if perspective on intersectionality.
What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?
When my management offered me my acting as a Supply Officer to start progressing my career.