Name: Marc Jacques
Class Year: 1996
Title: Senior Political and Economic Affairs Officer
Organization Name: Consulate General of Canada
In one sentence, what does your job entail?
As Senior Political and Economic Affairs Attaché, I represent Canada’s public policy interests to the New England business community.
What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?
My first job after graduating from Holy Cross (at the State House in Boston) was directly related to the internship I’d had Senior Year at the same office.
How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?
I had been interested in government and politics since high school and combining that with my passion for Canada and the United States provided the perfect career path.
What were you involved in when you were on campus?
I played soccer and hockey, coached the women’s hockey team and played drums in a band.
What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
I majored in Political Science, was immediately employed in that sector and after some brief exploration returned to the sector for graduate school. Upon completion of graduate school, I was immediately employed by the Government of Québec. (and yes, I’m extremely lucky to have been immediately employed in my sector following both graduations.)
What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
The importance of genuinely listening and the art of networking.
What advice do you have for students on campus today?
The greatest advice I can give to students is to utilize the Holy Cross alumni network. There are some incredibly successful alumni out there and most are willing to help students learn more about a career and many are in the position to be able to hire. For others, such as myself, while we will never be able to donate large amounts of money, we can give our time and discuss our experience and how we got to where we are.
