Cecilia Busch, Policy Analyst

Working for Hydro

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I'm a policy analyst at Hydro. I work in Aboriginal Relations division in the Policy Department.

Manitoba Hydro is one of the largest corporations in Manitoba and there are over six thousand employees. There are about five business units, and I think we're one of the smallest business units but it is growing.

Aboriginal Relations Division was proposed in two thousand and four. There is already a Mitigation Department, a Policy Department and Community Relations. The staff is very friendly and there's always room for people wanting to get educated, to take part in workshops or training."

Workplaces images

Research and analysis

I do a lot of research and analysis for different policies and programs that we have relating to aboriginal communities. Much of the work I do with the Aboriginal communities pertains to programs and policies they have for community development, economic development, youth programs and educational programs.

Better with experience

The salary for a position like mine starts at $45 000 per year, but I've heard of people making up to as much as $92 000.

You can only get a wage like that after you have lots of experience and I think that's the most crucial point. Many university students have an expectation that when they have a degree they deserve a big salary right away.

I got my degree in 2005 and I'm just a junior right now, it's a stepping stone to a better position. But the more experience you have, the more potential your salary range can have.

Partnership with communities

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"One of the greatest things I like about my division is they're trying to partner up with communities now and consult with them. What a big change compared to how it used to be.

"There's partnership and willingness of relationship and listening to learn about the aboriginal culture and I think that's what I value the most there."

Corporate structure

I report to the manager in our Policy Department, and she reports to the division manager. Our department is still fairly small; there are only seven of us.

There are three departments in the Aboriginal Relations Division: Community Relations, Policy, and Mitigation.

Interacting with communities

There's a lot of interaction with the public. Sometimes I get invited to attend career fairs or trade shows.

We also do "update projects" that are part the Clean Environment Commission* (CEC) hearings. Part of that responsibility is to update communities of what's going on, especially up North. In places like Opaskwayak Cree Nations (O.C.N.), Snow Lake, Cormorant and Nelson House we have open houses to give the communitys project and policy updates.

I think the people in these communities are really relieved to see an aboriginal woman on the other side of the table speaking the same language. They're really pleased when I start speaking Cree to them, they like that.

*Note: The CEC is an arms-length provincial agency that encourages and facilitates public involvement in environmental matters and offers advice and recommendations to the Minister of Conservation with respect to environmental issues, project approvals and environmental licenses.

Loves Manitoba

I grew up in South Indian Lake O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, it has a population of about 1000 people, maybe more since the last census.

We spent a lot of time on the trap line, my mom, dad and my four siblings. We basically just lived by the land. My dad was a commercial fisherman and he was a trapper. We just lived the traditional lifestyle.

Chaos and freedom

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

 "I try and focus on the good things that I grew up with because it made me who I am today. But I can't neglect the chaos that was there also, in our community there is so much alcoholism, suicide and you had to see that on a daily basis.

It was hard but I also take a good look at what I was blessed with. We had the freedom to go enjoy a swim, go hang around with our cousins and be with our friends. We had the freedom just to go pick berries or go for a walk; to be with the environment and not to take it for granted."

The trap lines

The trap lines are really cool because the quietness and the peacefulness, I really miss it. All you would hear was just the wind, the birds and the trees knocking.

My dad would go out and check his traps every morning. Sometimes I would go with him and then we'd bring whatever he caught home and my mom would skin it.

There was a whole process to everything we caught and everybody in the family had their role and responsibilities. The kids would be busy getting water or wood and making kindling.

There was no electricity, so we did a lot of storytelling at night.

Constant learning

I take my daughter to full moon ceremonies and we go to sweats. This year I'll be doing my first sun dance. Our family is still very much in touch with our Aboriginal Culture, and I don't think we'll ever lose that.

Family influences

My parents always taught us to respect the land. Even if it's just a branch or a rock, we learned to respect Mother Earth.

With that influence from my parents it made my career choice a little easier. This just seemed like the perfect direction to go and it made sense for me to take my Bachelor of Environmental Sciences.

On the computer

The first thing I do when I get to work is usually check the messages on my phone and then I check all my inbox emails. Most of the work I do is on the computer so it's a good way to start the day off.

After I'm caught up on my messages I begin my research. Usually my research is done on the computer to depending on the program or policy I'm working on.

Flex time important

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I am a single mom and I think the greatest thing at Hydro is I'm allowed to take family responsibility leave and they have flex time. I give kudos to my work, I'm fortunate to have those because if my kids get sick, I have to leave work and if it's too cold I'll have to drop off my kids."

Hydro Mondays

We get every second Monday off because we work on a nine-day week cycle, we call those days Hydro Mondays.

Usually I go into work those days though, because I can make up any time during the past weeks that I needed extra time off for my kids. If I'm late or if I have to stay early, I can make them up on Hydro Monday.

Work from home

There have been situations where I have had to work from home. Hydro has Internet security technology so that I was able to take my laptop home and punch in with a special secure ID.

One time I had just had surgery and I wasn't able to go into work, but because I was able to do my work over the computer from home, I could still get work done. It was very convenient.

Stress from work

Work can get pretty stressful sometime. When there's lots of travelling involved I get stressed. I have to worry about how the kids are going to be while I'm away, and presenting the information to the communities. But I also really like those times when I get to travel.

A briefing or an update on a project, that can get a little stressful because you have a time limit. But I work pretty well under stress so it's never a big problem.

Deadlines

For some people deadlines create a lot of stress, but they usually don't get to me.

I'm always realistic and honest with my co-workers and I just keep them up-to-date on the projects where there are deadlines. There's pressure from deadlines but I try to keep that pressure from turning into stress.

Bridges

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"A lot of people say ‘people walk on bridges', but I wanted to be one of those key people to bridge the communities and the corporation. Whether it was through communications or consultations, neither entities were going anywhere, it's time to unite and work together."

The idea

Back when I was attending the educational component with CIER (Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources) I saw that most of the natural resources are where First Nations live; whether it's oil, hydro power, forestry - First Nation communities are there.

Back then I was already thinking we need to come together to maintain what we have and to develop something sustainable for our future generations. That's why I wanted to get into a position like the one I have now, because I knew that I wanted to help bring both sides together.

Collaboration

I never knew anybody who had this sort of a job before.

I knew someone from our community who had gone to University, and when I saw them go I knew right away that I wanted to go to university too. If I hadn't seen someone else go I would have never imagined myself going. Making that first decision is the most important, because it was after I was in school that I decided this was the exact job that I wanted.

Three step in education

When I was taking my Civil Technology course I did a lot of math, calculus, report writing, communications. I also did some work with soils and concrete.

When I got into CIER it was more Aboriginal Culture, Native Studies, Environmental Ethics, Environmental Responsibilities and there was Environmental Economics.

At the University of Manitoba I took the sciences: Biology, Physics and Chemistry, it was much harder than the other courses I had taken.

Learned by experience

We had one Biology lab where we had a rat and we had to remove the outer epidermis. I did a really professional job. I was asked if I was going into surgical sciences; I didn't want to tell them that I used to skin muskrats and beavers back home.

It was just too funny; I just said "I do have a bit of experience." It's kind of funny how those skills you learn can be transferred into university.

Wanted to hurry

I would be working during the summer and I would take one or two classes just so I could be done sooner and so that I wouldn't have such a full course load in the fall.

Going to work and then going to school in the evenings was a challenge, I just wanted to be done. Not because I didn't enjoy it but because of my situation with the kids and not having much money to live on. I just wanted to hurry and get done.

Learning on the job

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"My dad always told us how important our education was. So I think he was one of the key people [in my life].
My mom taught me how to be humble; not to be put on your high horse or anything like that."

Finding my career

When I attended Red River College I took a one year co-op education program through Civil Technology.

My co-op program was in partnership with Hydro. While I was there I applied for a bursary that they offer; it was $600 and they guaranteed employment, it was aimed at aboriginal people entering the technology field - it was perfect for me and it really helped me.

Earn my masters

I've never sat down and planned out all the things that I want to accomplish in life. After my children are older I would like to continue my education in the sciences and earn my masters.

Even if I don't necessarily use it for my job, it's something that I want to do for myself.

Opportunities

If I change jobs in the future I would really like to go into socio-economic development, working with the environment as well as First Nations communities. I take many of the internal training programs offered at Hydro, so I'd like to see what other opportunities open up in the future with the new skills that I'm learning now.

Looking ahead

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I want my kids like to do really well in school. For myself, I want to be not as shy and be more assertive as a person.

"I want to help people like me and people who are going through what I went through, in university, giving them some kind of support.

"Somebody that can make it and can do it but don't have those resources, I want to be able to give that person those resources."

Making a difference

I would really like to be in a position where I can make a difference in the aboriginal community. Not just because I come from one, but because people need to know what is really going on, they need to know this is real.

I'd like to see myself as an advocate for the First Nations in Manitoba, maybe create a program for other woman that are in the same situation that I was in and help them succeed too.

Back to the environment

I'm not really working directly with the environment right now; it's mostly with policies and research. I want to gain more experience working with the environment.

That's one of the key things I went to school for and I want to work more in that field, whether it's managing or being in supporting role.

I see where I am now as a stepping stone to where I want to be.

Job Market Info

The links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.

The official title for Cecilia's occupation is "Labour Policy Analyst" and it's NOC* code is4162.

Manitoba Job Futures

Employment Prospects - Labour Market Information

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupation Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Education

Useful High School subjects

- English
- Sciences
- Math
- Business

*Source: JobFutures.ca

For those out of school, Adult Learning Centres can help you get or upgrade your high school diploma, including adding subjects that are required for work or further education. All Manitobans are normally entitled to four free courses.

Below are links to various programs and courses that will help you on the path to a career as a Computer Programmer or Interactive Media Developer:

University of Manitoba

Faculty of Arts
Asper School of Business 
Faculty of Social Work 
Graduate Studies 

University of Winnipeg

Politics
Economics
Environmental Studies
Institute of Urban Studies
Women's Studies
Graduate Studies
Project Management 

Red River College

Business Administration
Community Development/Economic Development 

Assiniboine Community College

Business Administration

St. Boniface College

Faculté des arts et d'administration des affaires 

Skills

Useful Skills/Experience

-Leadership
- Research skills
- Project management
- Knowledge of trends

Source: Job Futures.ca 

Professional Resources

Institute of Public Administration of Canada
A national association dedicated to excellence in public sector management and governance

Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration
An association of schools, programs and departments across Canada that teach and research in public administration

CareerTrek
A not-for-profit organization that provides innovative educational programming for young people with perceived barriers to entering post-secondary education

Related Careers

Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers and Consultants (NOC 4163)