A former journalist and Communications Director in the healthcare sector, I came to the federal government with experience working in both the public and private sectors. One of the best things about joining the federal public service is the wide variety of career choices available to you within government, the chance to work anywhere across the country and the opportunity to have an impact on Canadians directly or indirectly depending on the area you have chosen.
I am currently with Defence R&D Canada- Atlantic (DRDC Atlantic), one of seven centres across the country involved in defence research. Our lab does all the Research and S&T for the Canadian Navy.

Our staff work with scientists around the world and our marine mammal detection discoveries and stealth technology stories have appeared most recently in NATURE magazine in the U.K., and the New York Times news wire.

Sometimes I wonder how I went from handling healthcare workers/doctors strikes to working with brilliant scientists, engineers and technologists on new defence research technologies like stealth buoys, underwater gliders, projects to detect underwater terrorists, mine and torpedo defence including remote mine hunting systems and marine mammal detection.

Instead of MRI’s and Emergency Room crises I now write about and videotape international sea trials using state-of-the-art stealth and sensor technology to fight smuggling and strengthen marine security and naval force protection against post 9/11 threats.

Another great aspect to working with the Government of Canada is that although you can be called upon to deal with crises and media outside of regular work hours, you are well-compensated and you usually have a schedule which allows you to indulge other passions and hobbies. My passion is theatre and the stage. I just completed the musical Nunsense at Dartmouth Players community theatre and am able to audition and do other projects as well as work fulltime and support a family.

Come join us October 12 and find out more about what you can expect, working with the federal public service.

Karen Shewbridge

Karen Shewbridge is Group Leader Information Services at DRDC Atlantic. Besides her Masters coursework, she has a Bachelor of Journalism and an Honours degree in French and Spanish. She has studied in France and Spain, worked in Paris and taught at both Memorial and Acadia universities. For the past twenty-three years she worked first as a Broadcast Journalist and after leaving CBC in 1996, became a Public Relations/Communications professional. Karen is a mother of two and has worked as a professional actress in film, stage and television.