I grew up in a mining town in Quebec, but I later moved and finished high school in Toronto. Most of my high school friends applied to local universities in Ontario, but I wanted to return to Quebec so I applied to McGill. I had missed Quebec’s bilingual and bicultural environment, and I loved Montreal’s cosmopolitan vibe that still felt very Canadian. I felt giddy every fall when my parents dropped me off for school in Montreal.
My family had financial difficulties then, so at first I wasn’t sure I could afford to go. But McGill offered me a scholarship and a job during my undergrad years, and a bursary during law school. Whenever I needed a boost, McGill was there with an invisible hand of alumni and institutional support. I studied Canadian history, and stayed on for law school because I liked McGill’s bi-juridical law program.
My goal in coming to McGill had been to reconnect with Quebec, but McGill ended up connecting me with the world. I had also expected to learn from McGill’s renowned faculty, but I ended up learning even more from my peers, who were whip-smart and from all over Canada and the globe. Finally, McGill taught me to think critically and stay curious, which helped me see opportunities and try new things.
When I later moved to France and the U.S., I realized that McGill is known everywhere. I had chosen McGill for my own reasons, but its global reputation helped me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I’ve also stayed in touch with former classmates, which has been a great source of friendship and professional support. Finally, I’ve reached out to mentors for advice over the years, like my former law professor Stephen Toope.
I started out as an immigration lawyer, which unexpectedly led me into a tech startup. I later founded an immigration law clinic, which led me to a job with the Canadian government in California. Each career change was driven in part by my curiosity, and by my interest in law and public service. Although I settled in the U.S., I’ve stayed in touch with Canada more recently by freelancing as a “professional Canadian” in California, helping investors and entrepreneurs here bridge with Canadian tech regions.
Having pursued an unconventional career path, my advice to today’s students is to stay open to new ideas and challenges as your careers unfold. Stay curious, and reach out to mentors to help you navigate the ambiguous landscapes that you’ll encounter along the way.