During our Spotlight on MPPGA Alumni Careers series, meet the UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) alumni who are committed to addressing pressing and complex public policy and global affairs challenges facing communities around the world.
Today, we are featuring Eseohe Ojo (’20), who currently works as a Program Manager at GreenPAC.
SPPGA: Could you please tell us a little about yourself, your background, and how you became interested in public policy and global affairs?
I have worked in the non-profit sector on a range of issues including digital rights, freedom of expression, access to information, academic freedom, gender, the environment, democracy, and open government. Working in nonprofit advocacy spurred my interest in getting better knowledge and proper understanding of the issues, strategies and approaches to influencing public policy to enhance my ability to contribute to progressive projects and policy changes.
SPPGA: Were there experiences you had during the MPPGA program that directly or indirectly contributed to your career journey?
My most memorable experience in the program is the Global Policy Project. I had the opportunity to work with Professor Erin Baines, Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice and fellow MPPGAers on an issue we cared a lot about. The opportunity to travel to New York, The Hague and Geneva, attend the Assembly of State Parties and visit various UN agencies was remarkable. I learnt more about working in these spaces, working as part of a team as well as coordinating a major project.
After graduation, I got the opportunity to work with Professor Heidi Tworek on an exciting Covid-19 and democratic communications project. I learnt a lot from working on this project and working with Dr. Tworek. It was particularly insightful as I researched an emerging issue as things were unfolding.
SPPGA: Please describe your current role. What makes you proud about this work?
As Program Manager at GreenPAC, I work on the Every Day Advocates (EDA) and 100 Debates projects. Through this position, I interact with passionate Canadians across the country working on environmental issues in their communities. The goal of EDA – to create a community-led movement that ensures elected officials know that the environment matters between elections and every single day – resonated with me.
Working with Canadians from all regions of the country has been a unique learning experience. The EDA community benefits largely from the diversity of issues and interest areas covered by members of the network. I learn a lot from them and get to contribute to and facilitate their organizing efforts.
SPPGA: What specific knowledge, skills, and/or networks did you gain in the MPPGA program that help you succeed in this role?
Through the MPPGA program, I got to meet, work with, and learn from a diverse group of people with different interests and from different backgrounds. This taught me a lot about working in a Canadian context and prepared me for working with individuals and communities across Canada. I had the opportunity to explore new areas of interest through my schoolwork, research project and work experience.
SPPGA: What is your career advice for current MPPGA students and new graduates?
Be open to opportunities in various areas of work, be bold and reach out to any individuals and organizations you are interested in working with or working in areas of interest, to learn about what they do or to ask about possibilities for collaboration. Explore the opportunities the program and studying at UBC provides. Do not be afraid to try out new areas of interest as they might surprise you.
Thank you for sharing your reflections and experiences!
