Kazim Habib

My Political Science education at the University of Waterloo is a big part of how I got to work in Canadian politics. By studying at Waterloo, I experienced politics firsthand as part of my co-op terms and applied the classroom discussions we regularly had in student life and in the workplace.

I currently work in parliamentary affairs, issues management, and outreach for Hon. Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. I first got involved as an intern for the Liberal Party of Canada in 2014, and then as an campaign organizer for the Liberals for youth across the province leading up to the 2015 federal election on my co-op terms. In November 2015, I moved to Ottawa to work for the new government in community outreach.  It is in these positions that my education at Waterloo gave me a solid foundation to work from.

The major benefit in uWaterloo is a closer relationship between professors and students. The smaller class sizes with decorated lecturers means you can learn from professors on a more personal basis and get a better sense of what paths and opportunities are available during and after university. I heard what a career in politics entails from practitioners, got involved in student life with the UW PSSA executive among other organizations, and listened to guest lecturers at the Balsillie school nearby. Without this, I don't think I would have been as prepared to jump into politics as I was.

Kazim obtained a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo in 2017.