Justine, Senior Policy Analyst, Ontario Human Rights Commission

The core of my job is to lead research and draft human rights reports or policies. These may be awareness-raising reports (bringing to light an issue of concern) or policies interpreting how human rights protection apply in specific situations. Short of legal advice, these policies provide guidance to both rights- and duty-holders to combat human rights violations (in particular, discrimination).  

Consultation with communities and affected parties, no question. It is also the most challenging, from both a technical and emotional point of view. 

That is very tough to measure, but I would say that first and foremost, PSIA opened doors for me via the broad range of faculty members available to guide and mentor you. The reach of PSIA’s network shouldn’t be underestimated (or Science Po at large). I would also say that PSIA’s focus on professional experiences, like the third semester internship or the legal clinic, were pivotal in my ability to be work-ready after I graduated. 

I have three pieces of advice that I wished I’d heard as a student, so here they are: 

1. Expand your horizon as much as you can. As valuable as specialization is, you’ll never be quite sure whether the precise path you picked for yourself is viable unless you have something to compare it to. It may look like it on a resume or LinkedIn, but the road to my current position was not a straight line, including my time at PSIA. So take the oddball class, consider the job that’s a little outside your preferred area, volunteer on the side if you have the capacity, etc. 

2. Remember that the people around you set the tone for your quality of life at work. Always try to connect with current staff at an organization or company you’re considering to ask them a few questions about the culture or the team you’ll be working with. They might not get back to you, but if they do, their honest opinions might save you from a toxic boss or a position that is nothing like the job description. 

3. Don’t self-reject! If you don’t have the exact 5 years of experience or field research skills or language abilities that a job posting lists under qualifications, ignore it. Apply and highlight what you do have. I’ve received too many no’s to count, especially when applying for highly competitive jobs at international organizations. I know firsthand how demoralizing it can be, but give recruiters a chance to say yes. If there is something you genuinely worry you won’t be able to do, you’ll find a way to learn it on the job. You’ve made it to PSIA, haven’t you?