Many political science students choose their area of study because they care about national and international issues and hope to make an impact on communities near and far. Spring 2026 grads Sasha Tiaglei [BAHons/2026] and Kiru Jock [BAAdv/2026] both majored in political science and, during their degrees, engaged with the worlds of politics, power and social change in different ways.
Tiaglei, who double majored in political science and Central and East European studies, went the international route. Inspired by Dr. Andrea Charron’s course “World Affairs”, the first course she took at UM, she got involved with the Centre for Defence and Security Studies , led by Dr. Charron. Her involvement at the centre opened doors for travel study, attending and organizing conferences and meeting both professionals and academics who broadened her overall understanding of international affairs.
Tiaglei's passion for international affairs was there from the start, but she didn’t know much about what career options matched with her goals. “When I began my degree at UM, I really did not know exactly what I wanted to do with my life. Generally, I wanted to understand how international politics work, and why instabilities (like wars and revolutions) happen on a global scale. And, I wanted to develop a career that would give me the chance to improve these instabilities,” Tiaglei shared.
Her professors helped her find her way, each opportunity leading to the next. She received an UM Undergraduate Research Award, through which she got involved with the Canada-Iceland Seminar. She travelled to both Ottawa and ReykjavÍk, Iceland, visited the Naval Air Station in KeflavÍk, and learned about the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue. “That was an extraordinary experience,” said Tiaglei, “I even ended up meeting the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, when she travelled to Manitoba later that year.”
Her travels did not stop there.In October 2024, Tiaglei visited the United States Military Academy (West Point) for their Student Conference on U.S. Affairs. “We stayed at the cadet barracks and learned a lot about the American political perspective and history,” she said. “That is not something the average Canadian civilian student gets to experience.” Tiaglei also attended a Peace Summit at the United Nations Conference Centre in Thailand and conferences in Calgary, Kingston and Durham.
Tiaglei brought her conference experience to UM, as one of the lead organizers of the 40th Political Science Students’ Conference and hosted keynote speakers such as Hon. Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Canada’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs. She intentionally gets involved in many local conferences and panels that speak to her passion for Canadian defence. “If there is a defence conference or speaker in town, Sasha is usually the force behind the event,” said Dr. Charron.
Tiaglei shared that her favourite part about participating in events is getting to interact and listen to experts in-person. “These are impressive people who you would normally not get access to,” she shared. ”I have filled notebooks faster at two-day conference events than in an entire term. Sometimes you simply get lucky to receive a crash-course in a specific topic that grabs your attention. And, by traveling, you get to make special friendships all over the world.”
Tiaglei also conducted research on a variety of topics during her undergrad – from international sanctions, to Arctic defence, to the impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine on Ukrainian students studying in Canada.
Next fall, she will be starting her MA at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa. “I will be focusing on national security, intelligence and defence. I am interested in a career in defence and/or diplomacy and I am excited to see where this degree takes me.”
Her advice for current students who want to make an impact on a national or international level is to connect with both students and professors. “You will not make a difference in the world if you do not interact with it and it all starts here,” said Tiaglei. “Your professors know about the opportunities in your field of study more than anyone else. Go to office hours, ask questions, join clubs and apply to the opportunities that get posted like the URA. All these things can open doors to more experiences.”
For Kiru Jock, focusing on local issues and getting hands on experience was what drew her into political science, and the Faculty of Arts Co-op program. She chose a minor in family social sciences, saying that she has “always been interested in understanding how policies are created and how they impact individuals and families in real-life contexts.”
Adding co-op to her degree felt like a natural step. “I didn’t just want to learn theory,” said Jock. “I wanted to see how things work in practice. Co-op gave me the opportunity to connect what I was learning in class to real-world experiences, especially in areas related to policy and community services.”
Jock spent one work-term at Newcomers Employment & Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) and two work terms at Manitoba Justice in the Family Resolution Services unit.
“I almost didn’t do co-op because I wasn’t sure if I was ready or if I had enough experience to succeed in a professional setting,” said Jock. “At the time, I felt a bit intimidated by the idea of stepping into a more formal work environment. However, choosing to pursue co-op ended up being one of the most valuable decisions I’ve made.”
Co-op allowed Jock to expand her skills, both in hands-on community work, facilitating learning programs for newcomer and refugee children and in policy research and analysis with the Manitoba Government. “My co-op work terms helped me build communication and cultural competency skills, as well as experience in policy writing, research and data analysis,” said Jock.
Co-op also gave Jock clarity on her career goals and helped her secure a position she will begin shortly after graduation. “I realized I am interested in a career that focuses on policy analysis, justice and public service. I will soon begin a term position with Family Resolution Services focusing on policy, research and supporting programs that impact families and communities.”
Jock’s advice for students who are motivated to find employment after graduation is to gain practical experience early. “Start building your transferable skills as soon as you can – whether it’s co-op, internships, volunteering or part-time jobs, what you will learn will be valuable across many fields.”
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many graduates recognized at Convocation will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
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