3 minute read
Learning from Those Who Came Before
Hannah Brown offers a student’s perspective on alumnus Stephen de Boer’s return to King’s, where the Deputy Minister and Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to then Prime Minister of Canada joined a global political economy class for a candid and inspiring roundtable discussion.
It is not every day that a policymaker steps into a classroom where they once sat as a student. In February, Mr. Stephen de Boer, then Deputy Minister and Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, joined Dr. Erin Hannah’s Contemporary Issues in Global Political Economy seminar as a guest speaker. His visit offered us, as students, a valuable opportunity to engage directly with someone working at the highest level of Canadian foreign policy.
Mr. de Boer came to discuss Canada’s evolving position in an increasingly complex political climate. What immediately stood out was the breadth and range of his knowledge; he was like a walking encyclopedia of any topic you asked about. He spoke effortlessly about issues ranging from the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to Artificial Intelligence. He was sharp, articulate, direct, and grounded in real-world experience. He did not sugarcoat the challenges, and that honesty was something many of us in the room deeply appreciated.
While it is always a privilege to learn from great minds, what made it even more memorable was that Mr. de Boer was once in the same position as we are now: a student at King’s. Hearing from someone who not only built a successful and impactful career but also started that journey in the same classrooms we sit in today made the idea of working in government and international affairs feel less daunting and more attainable. As a fourth-year politics and international relations student, I often hear about the various career paths that our degree can lead to. But seeing someone who once walked around the same campus go on to such a high-level position grounded these possibilities into something that felt within reach.
During his time as a guest speaker, we were able to hear about his career from his early days with Global Affairs Canada to his current role advising the Prime Minister. What has stayed with me months later is the advice he gave us at the end of his session: to succeed in whatever career path you choose, be the one willing to work hard and put in that extra time and effort to stand out from the crowd. It was a simple message but a powerful reminder.
The visit from Mr. de Boer was not only an insightful guest lecture that allowed us to learn, but also a moment of connection between past and present students sharing a common interest. It reminded me of the value of a King’s education and the many doors it can open. As I prepare to graduate in June, I carry with me the impact of Mr. de Boer’s words and example, and I hope that one day, I will be able to return and offer the same inspiration to future King’s students.
