Career aspirations in my chosen field

Career in Chosen Field

The safety and security of Canada and its citizens is crucial to the success and well-being of the country. The proliferation of illegal immigrants, human and drug traffickers, and terrorist groups trying to cross into Canada has made border services more important than ever, and those working to protect Canadians from these threats must exercise great vigilance at all times, while still working efficiently and politely with members of the public. It is this ability to make a difference and protect that country that makes me want to be a part of the important and exciting work that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) does every day. In this essay, I will explain how my experiences, strengths and goals all make me an ideal candidate to work for the CBSA, and why I am so interested in pursuing a career in protecting Canada's borders.

One of the elements of working for CBSA that appeals to me so greatly is the ability to help others. The work done by employees is not limited to keeping harmful people and products out, but also to assisting newcomers and travellers as they arrive in Canada. CBSA agents are the first people that visitors encounter when they enter Canada, and it is therefore imperative that Canadians' helpful image is upheld. Throughout my life, I have been involved with numerous organizations and events that not only demonstrated my desire to assist others, but also gave me a new perspective on how I view others. I have volunteered at many fundraisers, including breast cancer support events, Vitamin D awareness campaigns and the Humane Society. Through this work, I've come to appreciate the difference that can be made in others' lives, simply by taking the time to show consideration and care. This is the attitude I hope to bring to the CBSA: I would be patient and helpful, and treat each person I encounter the way I would want to be treated. This, combined with the law and security program I am currently taking, and have nearly completed, would make me a valuable asset wherever I am placed to work.

I realize, however, that one can never have enough experience or skill to stop learning. I am committed to improving myself and I take pride in continually seeking to increase my education. As I prepare to become a CBSA agent, I will continue to volunteer with others, in order to improve my patience and further my insight into others' cultures and lives, and will persist with learning more about border laws and safety, by researching it online and at my local library. As well, I am excited to be taking a French program in order to improve my fluencies in both official languages, so that I will be able to serve all Canadians in the recognized language that they are most comfortable with. With this continued education, I know that will be able to make my work more effective and helpful to the CBSA.

Beyond education, I have been pushing myself to develop healthier eating habits and a better exercise regiment. I pay strict attention to Canada's Food Guide and have significantly cut out trans-fats and sodium from my diet. At the same time, like many Canadians, I purchased a gym membership in January, and have made an effort to attend 3-4 times a week. After less than two months, I have seen some noticeable differences: I have more energy during the day, I sleep better at night, I can concentrate more fully and my stamina has improved. I know that working for the CBSA can be a physically-demanding job, but I am confident that I will be able to handle the exertion and stress that comes with it. I handle stress well: exercise is a great way for me to fend it off, and I also practise meditation and deep breathing. One of my biggest frustrations is when I feel that I should know something that I can't remember, thus my commitment to learning more about border security and the laws that govern it. This preparation will benefit me both on and off the job, and will allow me to make a greater contribution to the CBSA.

My interest in becoming an agent for the CBSA goes beyond just having a career in border security. To me, becoming a part of the team will be an accomplishment in and of itself. Just knowing that I was able to overcome the physical and mental requirements to be hired is something that I know I will feel great pride in, and this pride will stay with me through my career. There are not many jobs where one can wake up everyday and go to protect and help his or her fellow Canadians. Though I fully realize that not every day will be easy or fun, I know that as a CBSA employee, I will never stop learning about the job or myself, and I hope that every day will be one of growing within the organization.