The workshops bridge the professional aspect of the Master’s program with the academic. They are structured to provide students with practical skills that are highly applicable in public sector jobs. They are taught by experienced public servants and consultants, most of whom are alumni of the SPPA.
To obtain the Professional Skills certificate, students must participate in five different workshops during the course of their degree. This means that you do not have to complete all five sessions in one year of study, but you will have the opportunity to complete any remaining sessions the following year.
It is highly recommended that students take advantage of the workshops. It will demonstrate to potential employers that you have specific skills training and have taken initiative to prepare yourself for the demands of public sector employment.
Upcoming Workshops
Tammy Maker, Canada Revenue Agency
Friday, January 31st, 2-4 – Tammy is a graduate of Carleton University’s MPA Program (2011) and is certified in Human Resources Management (Carleton) and Change Management (PROCI). Tammy spent 22 years working in the federal public service in a variety of senior level policy, management and HR roles. Her background includes work in social policy (employment, health, privacy) service policy (procurement) regulations (transportation, health, fisheries and oceans) and change management and innovation (federal policy community and human resources). Throughout her career, she worked to help identify misperceptions in Human Resources and reduce barriers to recruitment and staffing by improving the impact of policy and procedure on people.
Workshop Description: Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of Human Resources in the Canadian federal public service? Join us for an informative workshop designed to demystify the HR process and empower you in your job search. In this session, you will gain valuable insights into how Human Resources operates within the federal public service, which will help you navigate the system with confidence. We will explore both official and unofficial avenues for job opportunities, enhancing your search strategy and broadening your understanding of the job market. Additionally, you’ll receive practical tips and strategies tailored for your post-graduation job hunt. The workshop will feature a comprehensive presentation, share essential resources, and provide plenty of time for your questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain clarity and direction in your career journey!
Hana Maqsood, Acting Manager, Strategic Innovation Fund, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada
Friday, March 14th, 2025 2pm-4pm – Hana Maqsood is a public policy professional with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Carleton University and almost a decade of experience in energy, climate and strategic policy. She currently serves as Acting Manager within the Strategic Innovation Fund at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, driving large-scale transformative industrial projects. Her experience spans several roles with the federal government, including with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada. She has contributed to the development and implementation of Canada’s climate policy, including regulatory measures, the zero-emission vehicle transition, clean technology initiatives and cross-sectoral energy policy. Hana is passionate about sustainability, economic development and innovation, and excels in bridging policy vision with practical solutions.
Workshop Description – Join this workshop to master the art of crafting impactful government briefings and gain practical career insights. In this session, you’ll learn how written briefings play a crucial role in conveying policy advice and driving decision-making. We’ll cover the key components of effective briefing notes, from their structure and style to their role in government processes. With practical advice and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to develop concise briefing notes that communicate key messages effectively. You’ll also get a chance to explore the common challenges of advising senior management, pick up some important writing hacks, and participate in an interactive quiz. Beyond briefing skills, the workshop offers a chance to hear directly from a current federal public servant for valuable advice on navigating and advancing a career in government.
Previous Workshops
Trevor Neiman
Vice President, Policy and Legal Counsel – Business Council of Canada
Carey Frey – Chief Security Officer for TELUS
Friday, November 15th, 2024 2pm-4pm – Carey Frey and Trevor Neiman will lead a workshop focused on navigating the private sector. Carey Frey, an experienced cyber security executive with over 20 years in industry and intelligence, currently leads TELUS’s security solutions and corporate programs. His previous roles include Director General of Cyber Defence and Cyber Security Partnerships at the Communications Security Establishment, where he advanced IT security for Canadian organizations and fostered collaboration with major tech companies. Carey holds a Master’s in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Trevor leads the Council’s policy work on a variety of topics, including immigration, the digital economy, and economic security. As the Council’s legal counsel, Trevor also provides advice on operational matters. Prior to joining the Council, Trevor worked as a regulatory lawyer at an international law firm. While completing his law degree, Trevor served as a legal advisor to a Canadian senator and to a bi-national regulatory agency. Before becoming a lawyer, Trevor worked in public policy in the Ontario Public Service, and as an advisor for the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Trevor is a licensed lawyer and certified privacy professional. He holds several degrees including a Bachelor of Arts (honours) in Political Studies, a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, where Trevor graduated Magna Cum Laude. Trevor currently serves as a member of the Advisory Council for the Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and as an advisor to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of the private sector’s diverse roles and responsibilities. It offers insights into how various functions—from executive leadership to specialized technical positions—contribute to organizational success. Participants will explore core duties, best practices, and essential skills for excelling in these roles. The workshop includes skill-building activities focused on leadership, strategic thinking, project management, and communication. It also covers industry trends, career advancement strategies, and networking tips to help students adapt and thrive in the private sector.
Mandeep Singh, Senior Analyst and Team Lead in the National Security Division at the Canada Border Services Agency
Benjamin Faveri, Research Fellow at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
Friday, October 18th, 2024 2pm-4pm – Mandeep Singh and Benjamin Faveri are leading a workshop titled “The First 5 Years” which will provide you with the insider knowledge, untold tips, and actionable strategies that go beyond theory to help you fast-track your success in government. Mandeep Singh, a MPPA graduate from Carleton University, is a Senior Analyst and Team Lead in the National Security Division at the Canada Border Services Agency. With extensive experience across multiple federal departments, Mandeep has become a subject matter expert in strategic direction, program management, program evaluations, performance measurement, organizational development, and government innovation. He has led numerous department-wide and GC-wide initiatives and acted as a consultant guiding teams through quality assurance, performance improvement, strategic engagement and capacity-building efforts. His enthusiasm to take on new challenges and strong relationship building skills have garnered him recognition from Senior Management, and organizations such as Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and The Privy Council Office. He has been applauded for driving projects that introduce new methods of operation and support modernization within government. Outside of his public service career, Mandeep is an award-winning non-profit leader in Ottawa. He plays a key role in many key non-profit organizations including the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation. As a Regional Director for an international humanitarian organizaion, he has led major humanitarian projects, including the largest one-day food drive in Ottawa’s history. He manages teams of volunteers, oversees large budgets, and builds relationships with community stakeholders. In this capacity, he has worked closely with hundreds of managers, executive directors, and board members from non-profit organizations across Ottawa.
Benjamin Faveri is a Research Fellow in AI Governance, Law, and Policy at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University working on soft law’s application to AI governance efforts in medicine, neurotechnology, and autonomous vehicles. Before this position, he was a Research and Policy Analyst at the Responsible AI Institute (RAII) where he helped develop all components of their renowned Responsible AI Certification Program. Alongside his work at RAII, Benjamin contributed to ongoing international AI standards development through ISO, particularly their recently published ISO 42001 AI Management System standard. Before his work, Benjamin completed an MPPA at Carleton University, where he was a Canada Graduate Scholar, Ontario Graduate Scholar, Social Innovation Fellow, and Visiting Scholar at UC Davis School of Law.
Workshop Description:
Led by two experienced professionals—one from the federal public service and the other from academia—this session will offer a unique blend of hands-on government experience and cutting-edge research, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how to successfully transition from your studies to a public service career. This workshop will equip you with the essential tools to kickstart and advance your career in the federal government. You’ll learn how to craft standout resumes and cover letters, ace screening questions, and leverage your academic background for your first job. You’ll explore key pathways to permanent roles, such as co-op programs and casual positions, and provide strategies for navigating these opportunities. Discover how to develop crucial skills for your first five years, including core competencies like qualitative analysis and department-specific knowledge. You’ll also cover how to find the right manager and team to support your growth, manage work relationships, and thrive in innovative environments. Gain practical, real-world insights and actionable tips to transition smoothly from classroom to a successful career in public service.
Arun Thangaraj, Deputy Minister of Transport
Friday, September 27th, 2024 2pm-4pm – Arun Thangaraj, appointed Deputy Minister of Transport on February 20th, 2023, will lead a workshop on providing advise to Ministers and Senior Government Officials. Before joining Transport Canada, Arun was the Associate Deputy Minister at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, following two years as the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada. Prior to these roles, he was Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer at Global Affairs Canada and was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the former Canadian International Development Agency. He also brings experience and knowledge on transportation issues, from his time at the Canadian Transportation Agency from 2002 to 2011. Arun received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for his contribution to the federal public service and to his community. He has served on various governance boards and is a sessional lecturer in the School of Public Administration at Carleton University. Arun is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, and an Honours BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
Workshop Description: Drawing on his extensive experience in a range of senior positions within the Federal Government, including his most recent role as Deputy Minister of Transport, Arun Thangaraj will lead this workshop to offer expert guidance and actionable strategies. His insights will focus on the nuances of preparing and delivering high-impact advice to senior decision-makers such as ministers, political staff, and top government officials. Participants can expect to learn how to tailor their communication to align with the priorities and decision-making processes of these influential figures, ensuring their recommendations are both relevant and persuasive. The workshop will delve into practical techniques for effective briefing, strategic advice formulation, and the art of influencing policy and operational decisions at the highest levels of government.
Lane Bourbonnière (Métis) Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement
January 12, 2024 12-2pm – Lane Bourbonnière, Indigenous Curricula Learning Specialist, with the Carleton Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement, will lead an Indigenous Awareness Session.
Workshop Description: Working with Indigenous communities is a common practice for promoting decolonization, Indigenization, and conciliation. But how can we start and/or continue to work with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities in a good way? This workshop will address institutional anti-Indigenous racism that has caused Indigenous peoples to have a lack of trust in certain systems. It will also expand on the idea that Indigenous communities cannot be addressed through a monolithic lens, and we must support and work with Indigenous folx and their unique, individual needs. The workshop will conclude by addressing how we can practice Mino-pimàdiziwin (living the good life) in spaces on and off campus and will provide a list of resources to support you on your allyship journey.
February 2, 2024 12-2:30pm The SPPA Society and the SPPA Anti-Racism Committee are hosting the SPPA Students’ Anti-Racism Symposium. All students, alumni, faculty, and SPPA community members are encourage to attend. This symposium is a dedicated student-led panelist forum that centers on anti-racist knowledge mobilization and honours the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Panelists will include SPPA students and diverse experts from the academia, non-profit, and public service sectors.