When Kyler Garza finished high school, he considered a degree in economics but soon realized that politics was his passion. “My parents encouraged me to pursue something I am passionate about, assuring it would guide me in the right direction. With that advice in mind, I took a Canadian Political Science course, and I fell in love. I loved learning about how Canada became the place it is today, writing about the past and present, and engaging in informative debates with classmates.” 

After completing his first year at the University of the Fraser  Valley, Garza transferred to SFU. “It was one of the best decisions I made during my academic journey. SFU’s Political Science department offered a variety of classes each semester that allowed me to take courses that truly interested me. I looked  forward to course selection and being able to focus on course content that I wanted to learn about.” 

Around the time that Garza was taking Political Science courses focused on policy, such as POL 452 Energy Policy and POL 350 Public Policy for Women, SFU announced the new minor in Public Policy. Adding this to his Political Science major was an easy decision. “I believe the intersection of Political Science and Public Policy offers valuable insight into how our world works and the forces that shape it.” 

Garza expanded his understanding of the world by participating in SFU’s study abroad program at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany. “The program focused on the European Union, which vastly deepened my knowledge about politics and government structures in Europe.” 

In addition to exposure on European politics, the opportunity to live in a new city and learn about German culture had incredible outcomes, both personal (“lasting friendships with people I would have never met had I just studied in Canada”), and professional (“it taught me how to thrive in an unfamiliar environment and immensely strengthened my networking skills with people from around the world.”)  

Throughout his university studies, Garza was Communications Coordinator for Mission Community Archives, a not-for-profit aimed at preserving the City of Mission’s history and making it accessible to the public. “I worked full-time in the summers and part-time during the school year. After completing my courses in December 2024, I continued in my role at the Mission Community Archives while actively searching for my first job out of university. In March of 2025, I was hired by the Fraser Valley Regional District as their Communications and Engagement Officer.” 

In this new professional role, his political science and public policy degree helps him understand and navigate government structures and policy decisions that shape public sector communications. “Courses in political engagement and Canadian politics, such as POL 121: Political Engagement: From the Streets to the Ballot Box, POL 221: Introduction to Canadian Government, and POL 321: The Canadian Federal System, along with my minor in Public Policy,” he says, “gave me a solid foundation in government processes and approaches to public engagement. The teachings from these courses continue to guide the way I approach engagement initiatives and communication strategies.”

Emphasizing that his degree played a major role in helping him secure and succeed in his jobs after graduation, Garza says, “My Political Science major and Public Policy minor provided me with strong research, writing, and analytical skills that have greatly helped me in my work. Projects such as collaborating with the Provincial Health Services Authority to write a policy memo on reducing recidivism in BC gave me practical, real-world experience that I was able to highlight during the hiring process.” 

Beyond technical skills, SFU faculty’s strong emphasis on collaboration, presentations, and large-scale projects played a significant role in boosting Garza’s confidence, helping him contribute effectively to team projects and in professional settings. “My degree exposed me to a wide range of political and policy areas, which helped me develop the adaptability to take on diverse communication projects at Mission Community Archives and later Fraser Valley Regional District. Overall, it played a big role in helping me get these jobs and succeed in them, made possible by the skills and experience I gained during my time at SFU.”  

Garza shares, “In terms of my SFU experience preparing me for life after university, I felt immensely prepared.” He says that professors recognized the value of preparing students for the workforce: “From career advice to resume tips to tasking us with projects that gave relevant experience in the job market, it was a big help in my early success outside of university. I look back at my time at SFU very fondly and I am thankful for the tools, skills, and connections it gave me as I entered life after university.” 

As a successful transfer student, alumnus, and young professional, Kyler Garza has recommendations for current and future SFU students: