Noha AlSharif

Background & education:

Before pursuing my MPA studies, I completed a BA with a major in French language studies, focused on French literature, research methods and written translation of contemporary French and Arabic. I was interested to learn more about governments and decided to take the MPA program. I didn’t have political science or management background, and what I liked most about the MPA at Dal is that it is designed to suite students with different educational backgrounds.

How did you get to your current position?

After I completed my MPA, I was hired as an intern with the Halifax Regional Municipality for 18 months. The experience I gained from this job and my previous experience with the provincial government during my MPA internship helped me to successfully compete for my current position.

What skills did Dal help you develop?

At Dal, I learned about government structure and how the different levels function. Multiple projects helped to develop a variety of skills and provided opportunities to apply the knowledge gained to real-life projects as some projects were in partnership with government organizations. This allowed students to move from theory into practice and introduced them to the Public Service. Also, various professional development opportunities, the mentorship program and certain courses helped develop networking, leadership, project management, interviewing and other skills, and connected students with public servants. This helped to build practical experience, which leads to success in government job competitions.

What’s your next big career goal?

I recently started my current job with the Government of Alberta and I hope to continue to expand my experience in performance management within and beyond the social services context. In the future, my goal would be to gain managerial experiences and move into more senior positions.

How was your experience in the MPA internship program?

The MPA internship program stands out. I think it’s one of the key elements that made my MPA journey rewarding and successful. I encourage all students to do an internship if possible. The internship introduced me to the public service world. I learned about the recruitment process in government and gained broader perspectives working with public servants at different organizational levels and roles in the provincial government in Nova Scotia.

Any advice for future MPA students?

The MPA program at Dalhousie University lays the groundwork for students interested in pursuing their career in government. The knowledge gained from the program is valuable and transferable, but students should also take the opportunity to explore their interests and expand their experiences through relevant courses or projects. I would also encourage students to be flexible when looking for jobs and not limit their options to specific roles or regions.