13 Questions With: Chantal Lareau

April 6, 2014

IM Policy Analyst, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

I was incredibly lucky to have two amazing parents that modelled for me the importance of doing something you love, and doing it well.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

I started babysitting at 12, but my first ‘real’ job was as a drive through cashier (Welcome to Burger King! Can I take your order?).

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

I had a great position as an FSWEP student with Transport Canada for two summers helping organize and import into RDIMS the historical repair plans for their fleet of planes and helicopters.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

My Angry Bird plush.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Grey’s Anatomy. It’s been ten seasons, I can’t give up on it now!

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Make friends. The IM community is filled with such fantastic people and I can’t even recall the number of times that I was able to accomplish a task more quickly or more completely by simply giving someone a call. By the same token I would also say make sure to pay it forward and when a colleague calls for help support them as best you can.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

My vast knowledge of television and film makes me kind of a wiz at Six degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Proudest moment in your professional life?

There are so many things that come to mind here, but I think ultimately I would love to reflect back on my career 30 years from now and be most proud of the big picture that my achievements, large and small, have created.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

Sleeping, making horrible food choices (cereal for dinner is perfectly acceptable right?), and catching up on television shows (*cough* Grey’s Anatomy).

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

Teaching. I love working with kids, they are always surprising you.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Have their printing turned into a font (I may or may not have been SUPER neat printer….).

How do you stay current in your field?

Don’t be a fool, stay in school. Training opportunities are a great way to expand both your skill set and your network.

What would you like your headstone to read?

That’s all folks!