What does day in your shoes feel like? And what are the key skills that can make or break a career in your field?

Apolitical has asked a diverse group of public servants to give us their career story. In this article, Carie Grant explains why being able to influence the future of a country and the lives of fellow citizens is among the greatest privileges of being a public servant.

What is your role in government and how do you spend your time on a standard workday?

I’m a business analyst. I work with policy, legislation, case management systems, data and business intelligence. I help staff navigate and problem solve, while anticipating impacts on the business and providing key information to leadership.

In your opinion, what are the most important skills someone needs to excel in your field?

Willingness. All jobs require different skills at different times, but to succeed you must be willing to do anything, from licking envelopes to creating content for management. Always be flexible and open-minded and seek to improve and understand.

What is your favourite part of your job? What would you change if you could wave a magic wand?

My job is constantly evolving, the requirements shift daily, it is invigorating and challenging and requires extensive relationship building.

I work with amazing people and I am supported and encouraged in finding ways to use user-centred design to improve. If I could change anything, it would be to have a better admin support system to facilitate the changes — admins and support staff make the world go around.

What advice would you give to young public servants who are interested in a career in your field?

Accept opportunities and voice your desire to advance. Every experience has value and they all build a better employee. Life experience is everywhere and in everything, if you’re willing to say yes.

Do not be afraid to fail and always admit when you need help. I always encourage reading about anything and everything, you never know when an article about something unrelated to your work will spark a new idea. I started as a casual admin on a six-month contract and took every opportunity to learn and develop.

Working with a strong department and leadership helped me excel, and voicing my desire to take on new tasks opened doors I wouldn’t have thought possible. As a public servant, I think we can add value to things that are historically above and below our “pay grade” and add to the betterment of society.

Public service doesn't come with the best compensation and has its own unique challenges, but we have an opportunity to make real, strategic changes and that is priceless. — Carie Grant

Carie Grant Carie Grant

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