Practical Tips for Public Sector Employment

  • November 07, 2020
  • Emily Prosser

As an articling student at a public sector employer, I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to virtually meet with experienced public law lawyers to discuss topics of interest at the OBA’s “Welcome to the Practice of Public Law: Exploring Careers in the Broader Public Sector” event on October 22, 2020. Participants had the opportunity to speak with six mentors during a series of breakout sessions. The breakout sessions gave participants an opportunity to learn about the mentors’ career paths and discuss a variety of topics. Some of the topics we discussed in the breakout sessions were as follows:

  • Who is the client when working in the public sector;
  • What skills the mentors use and what kind of work they do on a daily basis;
  • What are the career opportunities in the broader public sector;
  • How to transition from the private sector into the public sector; and
  • What does it look like to apply for a job in the Ontario Public Service or at a Tribunal.

Participants also had an opportunity to ask questions of the mentors. The mentors spoke candidly about their career paths and shared thoughtful insights addressing participants’ questions.  

As an articling student, I learned a lot in the breakout sessions that I will take with me as I embark on a career in the public sector. The mentors’ advice which resonated with me the most is summarized below.