The Federal Government: A cubical village with bad suits and tight buns? I think not!

It is sad really that when one thinks of a job in the Federal Government, they think “snore!” They think of a cramped little cubicle village, with air conditioning turned way too high, men in bad suits, and women with tight buns, all in a space that is gray as far as the eye can see. The outside perception is more of a penitentiary than profession.

As a former co-op student with the “Fed’s” through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) I can tell you first hand, the perception could not be further away from reality.

Through my university co-op program, I was chosen for a four month co-op with ACOA in 2007. On my first day, suit clad and brief case carrying, I arrived in a panic to an elevator that refused to take me to the correct floor and was terrified “The Man” would fire me, or at the least dock my pay.

Flustered and in disarray, I arrived at the ACOA office to a surprise. I was welcomed by an excited face that explained how happy they were to have me there. More surprising, the face was not wearing a tight bun, a bad suit or sitting in a cubicle!

It seemed my perceptions would have to change.

How could they not? From day one it was explained to me how students were seen as a breath of fresh air, a light, an energy that is looked forward to each four months when new students join the team. The idea was that new students bring in new stories, experiences and thoughts with them to the office.

Kind of like Christmas, but with work instead of presents!

Also surprising, my duties included helping to create a sense of comradery among the staff by taking photos, conducting interviews, and writing stories about what they were up to outside of work, and similarities they had.

“Wait,” I thought initially. “The Man”, allows these things?” Well it turned out he did. Furthermore, “The Man” for ACOA, was a woman. No longer a boys club, the Federal Government was a diverse work environment encompassing people of all shape, sizes, races, cultures and sexes. It was a place I felt welcome and could really see myself in when I graduated.

I did a complete about face. With social events, teamwork, tremendous amounts of inclusion, and a work environment where you could really make friends, it was so nice, I did it twice!

Here I am on another work term at another ACOA office, and I’m lovin’ it!

Niki Toomey, ACOA Junior Communications Officer, January-April 2007