Jessica Vasquez
Minor in Italian
Current Occupation: Contracts Officer with the Canadian government
Current Location: Ottawa, Canada
Program: BA (Law)/13
Notable Quotable:
“Italian has become a lasting part of who I am. I still find joy in listening to Italian music, watching classic films, and revisiting the cities that once felt like classrooms themselves.”
What would you say to any first-year student considering taking a language course?
Go for it. Italian gave me perspective, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the richness of the world.
How has learning a language influenced your life path?
Minoring in Italian was one of the most unexpectedly rewarding choices I made during university. What started as a casual interest in the language quickly turned into a transformative part of my academic and personal journey. Already fluent in three languages, learning Italian deepened my understanding of language structure while introducing me to a world of art, cinema, literature, and history that I had only glimpse before.
Studying Italian enriched my university experience through passionate professors, small class discussions, and situations that encouraged real connection. Speaking with friends and their families in Italian brought the language to life, immersed me in culture that further shaped how I view communication: as a way to build relationships and understand the world around me. I would say Italian played a part in winning my role as Vice President Student Services (VPSS) of CUSA in my final year at Carleton, where cultural awareness and communication were key.
Professionally, my Italian minor has made me stand out in interviews, supported my work in multicultural teams, and even played a role in securing opportunities that involve international collaboration.
But more than that, Italian has become a lasting part of who I am. I still find joy in listening to Italian music, watching classic films, and revisiting the cities that once felt like classrooms themselves. Traveling to Italy is always a dream come true.
I worked for 14 years in the private sector where my languages helped immensely in winning contracts for a Toronto-based global engineering consulting firm. Since 2019, I have worked for the Federal Government of Canada.