LinkedInsights: John Paul Gervais

In our new COB #LinkedInSights series, we introduce real City employees to provide a snapshot of who they are, what they do, and why they serve the City of Boston — so you can read, learn, connect, and grow your network one impactful public servant at a time.

Building a thoughtful and actionable professional network on LinkedIn can seem daunting. Who should you connect with and why? And how do you build a connection with the person behind the profile?

In this month’s edition of COB #LinkedInSights, we sit down with John Paul Gervais, Internal Communications Strategist and Assistant to the Chief of Staff in the Mayor's Office.

⭕ What do you like to be called?

John Paul

⭕ What is your job title?

Internal Communications Strategist and Assistant to the Chief of Staff in the Mayor's Office

⭕ How long have you worked for the City?

11 months

⭕ What keeps you motivated at work?

Being reminded of the mission that we have. There are three big principles that really extend to all of the work that we do - do the big by getting the small things right, get City Hall into neighborhoods, and embrace possibility.

⭕ What is your favorite part about working for the city?

I am already seeing the changes that this administration is making and continuing to make. I love seeing the genuine impacts in my community. I must say also say, I work with amazing people!

⭕ WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER PATH?

I think we are in a real moment of opportunity and I think that we can make changes right now, that we weren’t able to make 5 years ago. I want to be a part of that change and effectively communicate with the amazing people that work here and enable that change. I specifically got interested in politics when I had family impacted by different policy changes. I started to get involved in ways that I could make positive change happen.

⭕ HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Positive, honest, unintentionally serious.

⭕ do you have a piece of advice for others?

Give feedback!

⭕ FUN FACT?

I play the accordion! I play a lot of instruments.

⭕ What are some things that you like to do outside of work?

I like to play music, run, hike, and above all, I love to eat good food!

⭕ Coffee order?

Hot coffee with oat milk year round. No iced coffee for me!

⭕ What has been your favorite project to work on?

I really love writing the Workforce Weekly newsletters! I also love supporting cabinet meetings and encouraging cross-departmental collaboration in every way that I can.