5th year Business & Society and Public Policy Analysis Certificate and Treasurer for the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA)

When I switched into the Business and Society program in my second year from Information Technology, I was told by the program assistant that I could take a certificate with my degree so that I could graduate with both. I was looking for a certificate program that has a practical use since I’m a person who likes a more hands-on approach to learning than just theory. That’s when I discovered the public policy analysis certificate. The courses they offer fit exactly with what I wanted to learn.

Two courses for instance, AP/PPAS 4310 3.0 and AP/PPAS 4320 3.0 Program Evaluation I and II, with Professor Constantinou I find to be very useful for the job market. These courses help you understand how to conduct and evaluate government programs to see if they are succeeding in achieving their objectives. The theory you learn in class will be applied in the real world since you work in a group with a client in government on a program they need an evaluation of. Right now, my group is doing an evaluation of the digital first approach at Service Canada to see if it meets customer satisfaction.

Currently, I am in my second term as Treasurer for the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA). Being involved with PPASA has been one of the best experiences I have had at York. I have made new friends and have better relationships with professors. Before I was a part of PPASA I was a shy and quiet person. But, once I got involved with PPASA, it helped me grow as a person. It was through PPASA that I started to get more involved with other student organizations on campus. Right now, I’m President of the Business and Society Student Club and I am a Vanier College peer mentor. Before being in PPASA I could not imagine myself having a leadership position in student associations. It was through the various events hosted by PPASA and SPPA, such as networking events and the meet and greets, that helped me get out of my comfort zone. - Jason Robinson