Hussain Shorish

From political science student to government consultant

Hussain Shorish advocates for clients at the federal, provincial and municipal level

Growing up in Montreal, Hussain Shorish, BA 16, MA 18, knew he wanted to pursue his education at Concordia University. Always intrigued by politics and the professional world, he was set on entering the field with the skills needed to succeed in his career.

Why did you decide to pursue political science at Concordia?

I was inspired to study in this specific program because I’ve always been into politics and public administration. As a whole, the Political Science program is so vast that you don’t know what you’re going to end up doing, but I figured the degree would give me the foundation I would need for many professional disciplines. It ended up being the perfect match for me.

What was the best part of the program?

We learned a lot about problem solving and gained research skills. These give you an investigative touch to identify issues in current events. It was an environment that was highly challenging and constantly evolving. There is always something new to learn. Overall, it was a good mix of theory and practice.

Any other highlights from your time at Concordia?

I partook in many extracurricular activities. I was the vice-president of finance for the Political Science Students’ Association in my second year. I was the president of TedxConcordia as well from 2015-16. These two roles allowed me to build relationships with my peers and with the wider Concordia community, and gave me the opportunity to go beyond the classroom.

How did your university experience help lead you to your current position?

After my undergraduate degree, majoring in both political science and journalism, I completed a master’s degree in public policy and public administration — also from Concordia. While I was completing my first degree, I started working for the federal government in Montreal’s regional office.

I always knew Ottawa would be an ideal destination for me, being the capital of Canada. I was offered a job as a government relations consultant at Bluesky Strategy Group. I represent a range of clients across a variety of sectors and I advocate on their behalf at the federal, provincial and municipal level. I am now able to translate a lot of what I learned at Concordia to the private sector.

What advice would you give current students and graduates?

Take advantage of everything the university has to offer. Concordia has evolved a lot from when I was a student. The opportunities are endless and your university experience is critical preparation for a successful career. In addition, professors really are the greatest assets. It’s important to take the time to get to know them because they have networks of their own in the field.