Prince George, B.C. – As she completes the final requirements for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at UNBC, Keira Emes is marking the end of one milestone and the beginning of another. 

After a brief holiday break, she will head to Victoria to participate in the prestigious B.C. Legislative Internship Program (BCLIP). 

“I’m really excited for this era of professional growth that I am stepping into,” says Keira. “It’s an incredible opportunity that’s made even more exciting by the fact I’ll be experiencing it alongside like-minded individuals who have also worked so hard to be part of the program.”

The highly competitive BCLIP offers recent university graduates unique and invaluable experience as non-partisan employees of the Legislative Assembly. Over the course of six months, the interns learn about the mandate and scope of a government ministry, gain exposure to public policymaking and acquire practical skills that can be applied across a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors.

Encouraged to consider the program during a classroom visit by Department of Political Science Chair Dr. Gary Wilson, Keira also learned about the Local Government Administration certificate and was able to fulfill its course requirements at the same time she wrapped up her degree credentials. The internship represents a unique next step following an undergraduate experience shaped by connections, curiosity and community.

Born and raised in Calgary, Keira grew up visiting Prince George for holidays, summer camps with her cousin and treasured time with her entire extended family. When it came time to begin her post-secondary journey, she knew that UNBC offered the ideal balance between independence and support.

“I was only 17 when I moved into student residence and started at UNBC,” Keira says. “Having a strong support system nearby really helped me to thrive and grow independently while still knowing I had a safe place to land as I navigated those early days of adulthood.”

That support network provided the foundation she needed to explore her academic interests. Keira says her passion for politics emerged suddenly and decisively during her Grade 12 Social Studies class. Drawn in by an introduction to Canadian politics and broader political theory, she says her interest was piqued, “I thrived in that class and started seeing politics as a way that I could make the world a better place to live in.”

Her curiosity was reinforced at UNBC by engaging courses, supportive faculty and small class sizes that helped foster connections with her classmates.

She points to Dr. Michael Murphy’s POLS 427 Ethics and Public Affairs class as a standout course. Each week, students examined complex and often controversial topics through discussion, debate and reflection.

“It was such an engaging course with incredibly interesting material,” Keira recalls. “We rarely came to consensus, but we were all engaged and respectful of each other’s arguments. I still think about the discussions we had in that class.”

Keira says what she loved most about the Political Science program was the people, both her classmates and her instructors. 

My peers and professors truly shaped my time at UNBC into the positive experience that it was,” says Keira. “Every professor, but especially Drs. Michael Murphy, Gary Wilson and Jason Lacharite truly took an interest in not only my success as a student, but as a person.”

Beyond the classroom, she played a role in strengthening the student experience on campus, working with her peers to re-establish the UNBC Political Science Students Association. Keira served as the student-led organization’s president.

With her degree complete and a major opportunity ahead, Keira is grateful for the professors who knew her by name, the peers who became collaborators and friends, and the experiences that prepared her what comes next.

 “I’m really proud of the growth I’ve experienced at UNBC,” she shares. “Working towards my degree taught me how to think critically, speak confidently and show up prepared. I’m excited to put all of that into practice.”