Steph’s helping us make history

It’s the place to be if you want to work in politics. Funny enough, it was never strictly politics that I wanted to get into, but rather security. I didn’t know I could combine the two, and work within the most iconic political community in the world! But there are so many opportunities to get involved in Parliament, no matter your interest or career path.

I started my journey at the American Consulate in Toronto, where I interned between the Fraud Prevention Unit and the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit. This opened my eyes to the wonderful world of personnel security. Having gone to university in the UK, I found myself missing it when I was in Toronto, and I decided to move back once my internship ended. Then I found a Pass Administrator job at the House of Commons, and decided to go for it.

I wasn’t expecting to even get an interview within Parliament. However, I got the job and four years later, here I am! In my next role, I became a Security Vetting Officer, and now I am a Security Vetting and Pass Office Team Leader. I’ve had a range of development opportunities so far, including document fraud training, essentials training, PNC training, and volunteering with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Conference.

I was lucky to find my passion early on in my career, and could not be happier to work here. What the Security Vetting Team does is crucial to the safe running of Parliament, and I am incredibly proud to work on such a hardworking and resilient team.

Carrying the Canadian flag during the Commonwealth Flag Ceremony was an especially proud moment for me. It was an honour to represent Canada during such an historic event, and I met many incredible people from Canada and throughout the Commonwealth. Not only was that my favourite moment at the House of Commons, it was also a favourite life moment, and something I will tell my grandkids about one day.

Working here still feels surreal. When you take a step back, and realise how important the work you’re doing is, it still blows my mind. Each State Opening, Remembrance Sunday, and every major political event is made possible by the work of our team and the rest of the House. You feel like you’re part of history.

Steph is making Parliament happen, and so could you.