Gabriel Weekes (MA, Public Policy and Administration ’20) delighted in the program’s community, and once his career launched, wanted to reconnect with it. That led him to become president of the Public Policy and Administration alumni association in 2021.
“Our focus is connecting members with the resources and people they may need for a successful career,” says Weekes, senior policy advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Electrification. While the association offers events and socials, their flagship program is mentoring. “We connect students with an incredible depth of talent, ranging from recent alumni to the original cohort from 2007-2008.”
He credits excellent teammates for the association’s many achievements, and for helping him fit volunteering into his life.
Weekes is enthusiastic about the value of volunteering, whatever your career stage.
“Volunteering is a great way to keep your life full of interesting connections,” he says. “It can also give you skills that qualify you for other jobs. There’s no way I’d have an executive position at this point in my career without volunteering.”
His advice: Communicate why you’re volunteering to get the opportunities you’re looking for. And don’t wait to be asked!
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