Become a bureaucrat, see the world

I'm fortunate. I have a good job with a comfortable paycheque and decent benefits, and I've been able to advance in my career. But I could probably have that anywhere.

However, as a public servant, I've had opportunities to see and do things that others haven't, and they aren't the kinds of things people think of when it comes to the federal government.

Yes, many of us work in cubicles aspiring to an office with real walls. Yes, we have to deal with sometimes cumbersome approval processes and know policies and procedures written by lawyers paid by the word. The stereotypes about life in the federal government do come from somewhere - I have to admit that - but it's only a small part of the picture and it's something you'll come across wherever you go.

But there are times when I'm grateful to work in the federal government and to have had opportunities to see and do some really interesting things. I'm currently with my fourth federal organization (fifth if you count the Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans separately). The others were DND (Navy), Citizenship and Immigration and currently the RCMP.

There are a few highlights that I can think of over the past 17 years - things I wouldn't have contemplated when I sat in Judith Scrimger's Writing and Reporting class 20 years ago.

Like having the chance to visit every province and one (so far) of our territories.

Like flying by helicopter to Sable Island for meetings about future federal involvement in managing activities on the island, and standing a few feet away from the horses that live there and walking by herds of seals sunning themselves on the beach.

Or the late August day I flew to Resolute Bay, where it was -21 Celsius and blowing snow, getting a tour of some of the research activity taking place in the very far north.

Or helping film commercials aboard a Coast Guard ship at sea.

Or meeting the first person born as a Canadian citizen.

Or meeting Ministers and the Prime Minister.

Or the whirlwind nine-day trip to our embassies in Europe (London, Lisbon, Bonn, Oslo and Stockholm) to review planned communications activities in support of a Team Canada trade mission during the International Year of the Ocean.

Or being called in the middle of the night to help respond to media calls when 229 people were killed in a plane crash near Peggy's Cove. Sometimes working during emergencies, using your communications expertise to try to support victims, communities and employees, can give you a feeling of really making a difference. So can having my mother call me to say she saw me on CNN.

Sure, there are days when I sit in front of my computer reading and writing stuff that can be pretty dry, sitting in meetings watching the clock and count down the days until vacation. Unfortunately it seems like that's what a lot of people hear about working in government.

But there are lots of times when I'm doing things I think are important, exciting and that make me appreciate this country and proud to be Canadian. Sounds corny, but it's true.

My career is far from over and I'm always looking forward to the opportunities that await.

Scott Verret

Scott is currently the senior communications advisor for the RCMP in Atlantic Canada. He graduated with a BPR from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1988.