Meet Gabrielle Jacob, a recent alum of the Masters of Public Policy and Global Affairs program’s class of 2025. Gabrielle, who now works as a Trade Policy Officer with Global Affairs Canada, discusses with us her path towards a career in natural resource policy, as well as MPPGA’s role in fostering her skill set as a policy professional.
Introduce yourself! What brought you to MPPGA?
I’m originally from Prince George, BC, a resource-reliant part of the province. After graduating from the University of Northern BC, I moved farther north to Fort Nelson where I held two memorable positions in local government. Here, I contributed to economic development projects and helped increase access to 911 emergency service along the Alaska Highway.
Motivated by my experiences in resource-reliant regions, I was inspired to join the MPPGA program to learn more about natural resource development and its impacts on rural Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. I aimed to leverage the MPPGA program to navigate the complexities of resource governance and drive positive policy change.
Is there a specific MPPGA course or workshop that you found particularly useful toward building your professional skill set?
I found Measurement and Data Analysis for Policy especially beneficial towards building my professional skill set. With support from Dr. Kai Ostwald, I developed the skills to assess claims made on the basis of quantitative evidence and create data visualizations. I also found Research Design and Qualitative Methods particularly helpful. Here, I developed the ability to evaluate qualitative research for policy analysis with the guidance of Dr. Tara Cookson.
Overall, these courses equipped me with the skills to analyze quantitative and qualitative claims, which is critical for building effective solutions to complex policy issues.
MPPGA allows you to work and learn within a tight-knit cohort of diverse students. What lessons have you learned from your fellow classmates?
The tight-knit cohort of diverse students is a great feature of the MPPGA program! My classmates brought personal and professional insights from around the world, which I was able to learn from.
During class discussions for instance, my classmates regularly presented wide-ranging perspectives and innovative solutions to tackle a variety of policy challenges. I also received tips and ideas on how to improve my presentation and writing skills.
Has MPPGA reinforced your interest toward a specific sector, or inspired a newfound curiosity about others?
The MPPGA program inspired a newfound curiosity about multiple policy sectors! The program’s professors introduced me to a variety of public policy challenges, such as territorial disputes and cross-border conflicts, settler colonialism and climate change, and AI governance and impacts.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to engage on emerging policy issues and seek out opportunities to contribute across sectors.
Being a recent alum, how did the MPPGA contribute to your career path?
In my second year of the MPPGA program, I took Global Economic Policy with Dr. Kristen Hopewell. The course sparked my interest in economic policy and international trade. Building on my policy interests, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Hopewell as a Graduate Academic Assistant researching the Canada-United States softwood lumber trade dispute.
The MPPGA program equipped me with the skill set necessary to transition into my current role at Global Affairs Canada. Here, I’m part of a team focused on strategic policy development towards resolving the softwood lumber dispute. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to leverage my interests in international trade and resource governance in this professional setting.
What advice would you give to an incoming MPPGA student?
I’d say try to attend as many events as your schedule permits! While enrolled in the program, I found that the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs as well as neighbouring UBC programs held several talks and other engagements. These events complemented my coursework, and I enjoyed learning from individuals with diverse areas of expertise – say from tackling wildfires in Canada, to addressing human rights violations in Myanmar, to combatting grand corruption on the world stage.
I’d also say stay open to exploring new policy areas, even those you may not have previously considered. The program’s coursework introduces students to multiple policy challenges, which helps to inform potential areas of interest and professional endeavors.
And finally, reach out to professors, staff, and program alums. There’re many resources available, and I found people are open to connecting and sharing ideas and opportunities.
