Job Category	Policy and Analysis
Employee	Lisa Jr. Policy Analyst CURRICULUM AND LEARNING RESOURCES POLICY UNIT
Ministry	Ministry of Education
Region	Central
City	Toronto

Before I joined the OPS, I … completed a Master of Arts in Communication and Culture from Ryerson University and York University. After graduating I did event planning, communications work, and teaching.

I began my career in… the OPS as a Communications Intern through the Ontario Internship Program. I worked as a Briefing Notes and Issues Management Officer in the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines where I researched and wrote news releases, media advisories and ministerial speeches on a variety of topics including northern heritage sites, First Nations employment opportunities and partnerships and special events.

And now I am … a Junior Policy Analyst in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch after multiple job offers towards the end of my internship. My work focuses on policy development work for English Language Learners and the Trillium List.

A day in my shoes… can be anything from working with colleagues to draft a policy, to travelling across the province to perform policy consultations with education partners or stakeholders. I might also do post-consultation data analysis, perform a fact-check for Cabinet Office or write ministry correspondence.

I have chosen to work for the public service because… of passion, excellence and impact. I have a passion for work that is meaningful, relevant and rewarding. Excellence is the OPS standard because of the standards of work for which the stakes are high. Everything we do has an impact - the policies we analyse or write, the resources or projects that we approve. All of these things have a direct impact on the quality of life of Ontarians.

The thing that has surprised me the most about working for the OPS is… being surrounded by an extraordinary group of professionals whose talents and skills have taken them to incredible places. Many of my colleagues have lived and worked internationally, speak many languages, and are fantastic artists, and community volunteers. They bring this world of knowledge and experience to work with them and great things happen.

Outside of work, my most memorable achievement is/was... participating in an annual charity event called the Corsage Project that helps young women with limited resources celebrate their high school graduation. This project provides the formal wear that young women need to put their best foot forward in celebrating their achievements. These young women have overcome tremendous challenges, and at the risk of being corny, it truly is heart-warming to see them come into their own at the end of the day as they blossom with pride.