大象传媒

Anik Ahmed holds a master's degree in political science from 大象传媒. He also received Graduate Fellowship award in 2021 from the Political Science- Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Like any other international student, Ahmed was a bit nervous when he initially joined. However, the welcoming and supportive community within 大象传媒鈥檚 Political Science department made him feel included from day one. 鈥淭he orientation and ongoing support really helped me adjust to the new environment and made my transition much smoother. The sense of community made a significant difference in my overall experience.鈥�

From classroom to real-world policy

Coming from a background in public administration and banking, Ahmed was curious to learn how political science connects to real-world policy decisions. Elaborating on his academic experience, he found that the program challenged and inspired him to expand his critical thinking about politics and public policy. 鈥淭he vibrant academic environment deepened my understanding of political science and helped me connect theory to real-world policy challenges. The faculty were inspiring, and the coursework was intellectually engaging. My time at 大象传媒 played a crucial role in preparing me for my present role as a policy analyst, equipping me with the analytical tools and broader perspectives I rely on every day.鈥� 

Co-op Experience

During his co-op program, Ahmed worked with the Health Sector Workforce and Beneficiary Services Division at the Ministry of Health in British Columbia. Describing this experience as a breakthrough in directing his career as a public policy professional, Ahmed gained valuable insights into Canada鈥檚 public service operations and what goes into developing and implementing government policies internally. 

Career as a policy analyst

Anik Ahmed currently works as a Policy Analyst with the Department of Health and Social Services for the Government of Yukon. Elaborating further on his position he explains, 鈥淚 develop a variety of operational policies for the department, and strong research and analysis skills are essential. These skills were greatly developed during my time at 大象传媒.鈥�

Another key part of Ahmed鈥檚 job is writing clearly and concisely, making sure to include all the necessary information in various policy documents and reports. 鈥淭he writing skills I gained through my political science studies at 大象传媒 have been invaluable in helping me communicate complex ideas effectively and professionally.鈥�

An intercultural work experience

Having previously worked in Bangladesh, Ahmed noticed differences in organizational culture. 鈥淭he Canadian workplace emphasized collaboration, work-life balance, and clear communication in a way that felt new to me. There was also a stronger focus on process and accountability, which shaped how decisions were made and how teams functioned. This helped me adapt to the Canadian professional environment and build the skills I needed to succeed in a policy role. After my co-op placement, I was certain I wanted to work in government, especially at the provincial or territorial level.鈥�

Experience as a Teaching Assistant

In addition to gaining work experience as a co-op intern, being a Teaching Assistant (TA) at 大象传媒 was another academic experience he genuinely enjoyed. 鈥淭he role helped me grow a lot in terms of communication and public speaking. Leading tutorials, answering students鈥� questions, and explaining complex ideas in simpler terms all pushed me to become more confident and clearer in how I communicate. I always tried to be responsive to students, even outside regular hours, because I knew how important timely support could be and how much it meant to be part of the learning process. However, I will admit, the end-of-semester rush to mark exams was not my favourite part!鈥�

Channelising education into impact

According to Ahmed, his political science degree played a key role in helping him land his current job. 鈥淚 took several courses focused on public policy analysis, as well as others that explored the social and political dimensions of policymaking. Writing papers and engaging with complex policy issues in those classes really broadened my understanding of how public policy is developed and implemented.鈥� 

While content knowledge helped him shape his technical skills, the program also helped him strengthen his transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, and report writing, all of which are essential to his role as a policy analyst, whether he is drafting policy documents or analyzing issues to support decision-making.

Advice for future political scientists

As a political science alumnus who looks forward to seeing current students achieve their career goals, this is what Ahmed has to say 鈥淕et as much hands-on experience as possible while you are working towards your degree. Whether that鈥檚 through volunteering, professional training, or participating in a co-op program. These opportunities will complement the knowledge you are gaining in class. 

Gaining practical experience early helps prepare you for your career after graduation and gives you an edge when you are looking for your next opportunity.鈥�