As the new year rolled over and as the 2026 North Star Award winner was announced at the end of last year (Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Ford!), I took some time to reflect on my time in the North Star Award Internship, and what I have learned so far from this incredible opportunity.

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The past two months have coincided with a transformational period in Canadian history. Budget 2025 announced generational investments in the Canadian military, providing the country with an opportunity to pivot towards a more sovereign and capable future. Thanks to the North Star Award Internship, an initiative established by the Policy Insights Forum and sponsored by CGI, I have had the amazing opportunity to work right in the center of how changes in fiscal policy influence the economic landscape that Canadian defence manufacturers and innovators operate in. For the benefit of other young Canadians who will soon enter the workforce, I wanted to share how my experience has been, and the lessons I have already taken away with me in the short time I have spent here.

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‍The mentorship opportunity has been formative

‍Working under the mentorship of the former Governor of the Bank of Canada and 2025 North Star Award winner, Stephen Poloz, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Few people have had the kind of impact on Canadian economic thought in the 21st century that he has, and getting to learn directly from him has been a rare privilege. We’ve had great conversations about what it really means to be a policymaker at that level of seniority. Decision-making at that level involves not only top-notch technical expertise but also the ability to weigh risk, lead organizations, and communicate effectively.

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One takeaway that has really stuck with me so far is that economics cannot just be about models or forecasts. While these are essential tools in an economist’s toolkit, what really is going on in an economy cannot be written down in an equation. Human relationships, institutional knowledge, and intuition all play a massive role, and these qualities only sharpen with experience. Stephen has emphasized how vital writing and communication are to good economic work. For a policymaker, it is critical that policy is explained clearly to those affected by it to ensure the intention is clear.

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‍Learning is accelerated when you are surrounded by experts

‍One truth that’s been reaffirmed for me during this internship is that learning happens faster than you’d think when you’re surrounded by experts. The Policy Insights Forum brings together some of the sharpest minds in Canada on defence policy. Being in this environment really pushed me to absorb new concepts. It reminds me of my earlier days when I worked at the Bank of Canada in the Financial Markets Department. When I first started in that role, the expertise of my colleagues initially hit me with a wave of “imposter syndrome.” To break through, I had to be willing to show humility in order to contribute effectively.

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There’s something powerful about jumping into complex discussions where you know you have a lot to learn. When you ask questions, listen actively, and try to make even small contributions, you can climb the learning curve quickly. The speed at which you start connecting dots is remarkable when you’re learning from people who live and breathe the subjects.

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For example, during the internship I had the opportunity to visit the Samuel Group’s Washington, D.C. office where I was able to observe and contribute to meetings with international clients in person. Seeing how complex policy discussions unfold in real time, and how differing priorities can intersect to create new opportunities, added an invaluable practical dimension to the internship. It made it clear that effective policy is as much about relationships, communication, and timing as it is about analysis.

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As a side note, thank you to U.S. House Representative Mark Messmer for organizing a very special tour of the Capitol building for our team. It was a truly inspirational visit, and experiencing a vote in the gallery was something I’ll never forget.

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‍Growth requires stepping outside of your comfort zone

‍Coming from an academic background, I was used to analyzing problems from a theoretical angle. This internship has given me opportunities to think outside of the role that I had studied for. I’ve sometimes acted as a consultant, other times as a policymaker, a couple times like an entrepreneur. It required me to shift my mindset and develop comfort with ambiguity and trade-offs.

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I’ll admit that at first, it was overwhelming. But the discomfort soon gave way to excitement as I realized how theoretical concepts can be applied to real-world contexts. Being in person with colleagues has made this shift much more natural. There’s no substitute for spontaneous co-working sessions or conversations over lunch. These are moments where insights form organically and collaboration takes less effort. I’ve learned that growth often requires you to push through discomfort.

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‍Take the initiative to ask questions early, and often

‍A habit I’ve worked hard to build during the first stage of this internship is to ask questions early and often. It takes initiative and humility to admit you don’t understand something. But every time I’ve done so, I’ve found that it pays off. It’s much better to get past your ignorance quickly than to wait until a project is halfway down the road.

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That initiative to learn quickly through asking questions helps you be where the puck is going to be. Opportunities in policy work often emerge faster than you may expect. I’ve found that the people who thrive are those who prepare in advance by reading around the subject, building context, and staying alert to where new trends and priorities are forming. Then, when the next big opportunity arises, you’re already skating in the right direction.

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‍Next steps and the months ahead at EDC

‍As my time with the Policy Insights Forum comes to a close, I feel deep gratitude for the experience and the people who have made these past two months so meaningful. Thank you to everyone I’ve worked alongside, especially Stephen Poloz and Aliénor Peyrefitte for your guidance, encouragement, and friendship. The North Star Internship Program could not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of CGI, the Title Sponsor of the 2025 North Star Award Gala. I am deeply appreciative of their inspiring commitment to fostering excellence in innovation and leadership development.

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Finally, I wanted to give a very special thank you to Goran Samuel Pesic, the CEO of the Samuel Group and Chair of the Policy Insights Forum. Goran’s vision of recognizing individuals who have made meaningful contributions to Canada, as well as creating a mechanism to ensure that future generations of Canadians are equipped to deal with an increasingly uncertain world is incredibly important. Thank you for organizing such a meaningful and life-changing experience!

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Next, I’ll be joining Export Development Canada for the second half of the North Star Award Internship. I have already been welcomed with introductory conversations and I am eager to continue growing, contributing meaningfully, and to learn from a top-tier economics team tackling one of Canada’s most important global priorities.