Some people see it as going over to the Dark Side, but many alumni have put their Ivey experience to work in government at the municipal, provincial or national level. They embrace the challenge and complexity, and value the opportunity to have an impact.
Many people assume that the public and private sectors are two unbridgeable solitudes, and that business graduates generally head straight for the private sector. But Duncan Campbell, MBA '84, is one of a surprising number of Ivey graduates who have chosen differently, pursuing challenging and deeply satisfying careers in government. While the financial rewards may not be as rich, many alumni find meaning in serving their fellow citizens.
Intouch magazine talked to seven alumni who are working or have worked in the public sector, to find out why they enjoy what they do and what the potential is for bringing business and government into closer partnership.
Art Zuidema, EMBA ’05
Experience: Private practice lawyer, City of Hamilton legal department
Current title: City Manager, City of London (Ontario)
What do you like best about working in the public sector?
I work with a very diverse and interesting group of talented people and have the opportunity to help them be successful in what they do. I’m in the unique position—it’s both a responsibility and a privilege—to be able to make change and move the ball down the field. Every day is different. I hear exciting stories, and I get to connect the dots.
How did your Ivey training contribute to your public sector career?
Ivey taught me how to navigate complex relationships, and collaborate to achieve common goals. The School also helped me develop the business skills I needed to speak the language of business. I now feel comfortable in any boardroom, private or public.
Can and should the private and public sectors be working more closely together?
Yes! When you bring the two sectors together, you combine the strengths—the public sector’s dedication to the needs of its citizens, and the cost and performance acumen of the private sector.
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
Public service work is challenging, rewarding and meaningful. If you’re interested in getting your feet wet before jumping in, think about getting involved in some community organizations.
Susan Harper, MBA ’83
Experience: Trade commissioner, ambassador, policy analyst
Current title: Director General and Senior Arctic Official, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada
Why did you choose to work in the public sector?
I was interested in international work and in 1983 there weren’t many Canadian companies with Canadians abroad. I was offered a job as a trade commissioner and I felt it offered a combination of international exposure and a business orientation.
What do you like best about it?
I have always liked the idea of public service, of making a contribution to the whole—those were the values I grew up with. I like the complexity of my work, the service orientation, and the focus on deliverables.
What are the challenges?
When you’re in government, you’re always making tradeoffs between accountability and efficiency. No one likes “bureaucracy” but on the other hand, we have to be held accountable and take the time to consult with all stakeholders.
How did your Ivey training contribute to your public sector career?
The Case Method is very practical and focused on decision-making. That’s what I learned at Ivey and I apply it every day.
How can the private and public sectors work more closely together?
It helps to create opportunities for open, practical discussions between business and government. My experience is that both sides come out of these discussions with a better idea of how they can work together effectively.
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
I feel that I have the best of both worlds, but everyone has to think about what’s important to them and match that to the characteristics of the job.
Christopher Lau, MBA ’09
Experience: Business owner, CIBC, Standard Chartered Bank
Current title: Senior Advisor, Information, Communications and Technology, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation
What do you like best about working in the public sector?
I like that I get to work on some pretty cool files with really smart people. My role is to work with industry to encourage jobs, investments and innovation to thrive in Ontario. That’s an important issue not just for Ontario but for governments competing for jobs around the world.
How did your Ivey training contribute to your public sector career?
Ivey taught me to think like a leader, and believe that leaders have a critical responsibility to shape the organizations they work at.
Can and should the private and public sectors be working more closely together?
Absolutely. Partnerships between governments, academia and industry can be part of a company’s long-term competitive advantage and why they continue to invest in jobs and innovation in Ontario. I think of the movie Gladiator, when Russell Crowe told his fellow gladiators, “Whatever comes out of those gates, we’ve got a better chance of survival if we work together.”
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
The public service is a very different beast organizationally from what they’re used to. It’s easy to become cynical. You really have to believe in yourself and take pride in the work you’re doing.
Duncan Campbell, MBA ’84
Experience: Canadian National Railway, Town of Mount-Royal (TMR)
Current title: CAO, Westmount, QC
What are the challenges of working in the public sector?
There’s an immediacy about municipal government—if Council decides to change a bylaw, you hear about it right away! Everything is very public. There are always some people who don’t like what you do, no matter what you do. And in municipal government, it’s as much about the process as the product: you get to the end result, but the end result is often a compromise.
How did your Ivey training contribute to your public sector career?
It’s like I’m doing a dozen case studies a day! Ivey helped me juggle a number of things at once and withstand considerable stress. The dreaded participation aspect gave me the confidence to handle any situation that comes along.
Can and should the private and public sectors be working more closely together?
Sure, we already do a lot of contracting out to the private sector as a way of keeping the tax bill down. But some people say the city should be run like a business, and that doesn’t work. There are lessons to be learned from both sides.
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
We really need good people in this business. There is so much to be done here, and there’s a lot of room for innovation and creativity.
Susan Jellett, HBA ’79
Experience: Canada Revenue Agency, Government Services Canada, Comptroller General
Current title: Senior Policy Analyst, Office of the Comptroller General, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Canada
Why did you choose to work in the public sector?
When I was 15 I went on a school trip to Ottawa. I came home and told my parents I was going to move to Ottawa when I graduated from university.
What do you like best about it?
In 35 years I’ve never stopped learning!
What don’t you like?
The generalizations about the bureaucracy. I think we all work quite hard. People don’t realize the challenges we face, the energy that is created, and the dynamism of the environment. They also don’t realize that the policies we work within are designed to deal with the complexities of the organization.
Can and should the private and public sectors be working more closely together?
Yes, it happens all the time and it can be very successful because we all have expertise in different areas. It works best when both parties accept the rewards and risks, and when they recognize what each other brings to the table.
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
Never stop learning. Be willing to volunteer for committees and projects. You can’t be part of government if you don’t like rules. At the same time, there is flexibility and all kinds of change.
Ken Albright, MBA ’88
Experience: Financial advisor, entrepreneur, consultant, policy expert
Most recent title: Director, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment (now developing a new business)
What do you like best about working in the public sector?
Governments tackle big problems. I’ve had the opportunity to manage through some complex issues, develop policies, and see industries emerge as a result.
What are the challenges of working in the public sector?
There can be frustrations— you want to do things, it’s logical to do things, and yet you have to wait, sometimes for years. You need to consult with dozens of people.
Can and should the private and public sectors be working more closely together?
As government budgets have shrunk, the private sector has already taken on a lot of the services that governments provided in the past. There are still two solitudes, though. There has been some work to remove red tape over the past several years, but my sense is that the private sector is frustrated with the government. They see how things happen in other parts of the world where they do business, and they ask, “Why aren’t we doing it that way here?”
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
Don’t look at the specific title but rather at what challenges you might face. Look for a good mentor. In the early stages of your career, you might benefit from working on the political side. You get a sense of how everything fits together and you’ll be less frustrated with the pace.
Chris Carson, MBA ’11
Experience: Staff member for MPPs and Ministers
Current title: Chief of Staff to Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario
What do you like best about working in the public sector?
I have a vantage point where I can see all the various components of the health system, help to set a vision for the system, and then see how it all comes together. Having the opportunity to work with impressive, inspired and accomplished leaders—both in government and throughout the system—is fabulous.
What are the challenges?
We end up having to assume accountability for things over which we don’t always have full control. It’s a large, complex system, and a lot of things can happen. Change doesn’t always happen as quickly as you’d like, because there are many players between us and the patients. And because we’re in a political environment, there are always going to be people who are against whatever we do.
Can and should the private and public sectors be working more closely together?
We are part of a government that believes very strongly in protecting the public medicare system but there is still an important role for the private sector. I think the private sector can also learn from the public sector, especially around managing complexity and being accountable and transparent.
What advice would you offer to upcoming Ivey graduates about working in the public sector?
If you’re looking for an opportunity to have an impact, the public sector and political sphere offer immense opportunities.
All Photos: Nation Wong
Art Direction: Greg Salmela, Aegis
