Focus Area: Business and Financial Planning
Name: Josanne Nalasco
Year you started your internship: 2006
University/College you graduated from: York University, Schulich School of Business
OIP Rotations: Intern (Business Analyst), Ministry of the Environment
Current Position: Business Analyst, Ministry of the Environment
Why did you apply to the OIP?
After graduating from the Schulich School of Business I worked at various jobs within the private sector, but I never felt that the work I was doing was fulfilling or challenging enough. I was seeking a career where I could make a positive contribution to local communities while further enhancing my business skills and work experience. A friend of mine had told me about the Ontario Internship Program and I thought it would be a great way to learn more about the public sector while gaining valuable work experience.
How would you describe your experience in the OIP?
My experience in the OIP has been nothing but positive. My first placement was at the Ministry of the Environment where I had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people within the OPS who were always available to answer any questions I had, and who were there for guidance and support. My colleagues were always willing to share their own experiences about working in the OPS and were able to provide advice on how to start and develop a successful career path in the public sector.
As an intern I had the opportunity to interact with professionals from various branches and ministries, and gain hands on experience. Working as a business analyst for the Ministry of the Environment I worked closely with several program areas to help prepare submissions to Treasury Board and Cabinet and acted as a liaison between the government’s central agencies and program experts within the Ministry. Through this experience I was able to learn about government decision-making and approval processes and the steps that must to be taken to implement new government initiatives or policy changes.
What are some of the learning and development opportunities you received as an intern?
As an intern I have had the opportunity to take several professional development courses and attend conferences to further my knowledge and skills. I was able to take courses such as Organizational Performance and Results, Risk Management, and Government Accounting to build upon my business skills. In addition, due to the nature of my work at the Ministry of the Environment, I was given the opportunity to attend a conference related to Air and Waste Management that helped expand my knowledge on current environmental trends and issues.
Please describe your current position in the OPS.
Just before the end of my first rotation I was offered a permanent position to continue my work within the Ministry of the Environment. I am currently working in the ministry’s Business and Fiscal Planning Branch as a Business Analyst. As part of a larger team, one of my roles is to help secure funds for new and existing environmental initiatives. What I enjoy most about my job is that it is challenging, I’m always learning something new and the work I do has an impact on making Ontario a better place to live by protecting and improving the environment.
How has the OIP contributed to the success of your career with the Ontario Public Service?
The OIP provided me with the opportunity to get "my foot in the door" and gain valuable work experience within the OPS.
What is the single best piece of advice you could give someone who is thinking about applying to the OIP?
I would recommend applying to the OIP for graduates who are looking for an opportunity to enrich their work experience and who are interested in learning more about the public sector. As an intern you can take advantage of the many resources and learning opportunities made available to you to as you start your career.
Focus Area: Business and Financial Planning
Name: Igor Vovk
Year you started your internship: 2006
University/College you graduated from: University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business
OIP Rotations: Ministry of Finance, Treasury Board Office, Results-based Planning and Performance Management Team, Business and Financial Planning Intern
Current Position: Ministry of Finance, Treasury Board Office, Results-based Planning and Performance Management team, Senior Analyst
Why did you apply to the OIP?
Several of my former classmates from the Richard Ivey School of Business applied to the Ontario Internship Program, and highly recommended it as the best path to finding interesting and rewarding jobs with the Ontario Public Service.
How would you describe your experience in the OIP?
I was lucky to get my first rotation in the Treasury Board Office (TBO), which is a very fast-paced and dynamic place. There was no shortage of challenging assignments to work on at any time. All of the TBO analysts I worked with were highly skilled and willing to help and share their knowledge.
What are some of the learning and development opportunities you received as an intern?
Most of the learning occurred on-the-job. I had a broad range of different experiences that included working on Treasury Board submissions, conducting analyses, preparing briefing materials, briefing the Secretary and Chair of the Treasury Board, and conducting corporate analysis of results-based planning submissions. I also prepared rollup reports and other materials to brief senior management. I participated in the design and implementation of a corporate database for handling strategic investment initiatives, and managed the Printed Estimates process, which details the operating and capital spending requirements of ministries.
Please describe your current position in the OPS.
As a Senior Analyst, my main responsibilities include leading the production of the Printed Estimates and providing corporate support to the results-based planning process for ministries. The work is very interesting and challenging.
How has the OIP contributed to the success of your career with the Ontario Public Service?
My OIP placement with the Treasury Board Office provided an excellent opportunity to work on sophisticated issues while learning from the best analysts in their respective areas.
What is the single best piece of advice you could give someone who is thinking about applying to the OIP?
Look for opportunities and don’t be afraid to take risks – completing a challenging task or project well has the potential of giving your OPS career a great boost.