• How did you select your graduate school and how did it prepare you for your career?
• Work or internship experience during graduate school
• What was the most important or useful course you took in the MPA/MPP?
• Were you a Presidential Management Intern?
• What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
• What is the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of your current job?
• Do you feel your MPA/MPP is helping you to “make a difference?” How?
• What advice, if any, would you give to an undergraduate thinking about going for an MPA/MPP?

How did you select your graduate school and how did it prepare you for your career?

> I selected my graduate school through a narrowing process. I first researched programs in general to understand the range of types of programs, schools, curriculums, etc.... I then focused on a subset of schools in the Midwest to apply to. My final choice was driven by a combination of two factors: financial and visiting. I visited each of the schools I was interested in and met with a representative, and in most cases spoke with students as well. The information gathered via these visits (including a gut reaction to the school and people I met) in addition to the funding available lead me to my final choice of The Ohio State University.

It prepared me for my career in several ways. I'll mention two here. First, it prepared me by offering a curriculum that balanced my learning and skills across multiple dimensions. Whatever project or responsibility I have, I am able to come at it from different angles, which enhances my ability to develop solutions that anticipate possible reactions and concerns. Second, the School prepared me for my career by creating access to faculty and alumni. Through developing relationships with faculty and alumni I enhanced my marketability as a new graduate, and I continue to reap the rewards of those relationships through interaction with the School and with fellow alumni.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> During the two year MPA program I had a research and teaching assistantship. This opportunity allowed me to work closely with faculty and fellow students on different projects and become familiar with different resources available for research. I also had a summer internship between my two years of study. The summer internship was not successful in that it did not contribute meaningfully to my skills, knowledge or abilities. However, it was valuable for the role it played in helping to exclude certain types of careers from consideration.

What was the most important or useful course you took in the MPA/MPP?

> I can't identify one course as "most" important or useful. The curriculum was good because it balanced across management, policy, budget, economics, information technology, and other subjects. Taken as a whole, the coursework creates knowledge of an environment in which MPA graduates might work.

Were you a Presidential Management Intern?

> No.

What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?

> After graduating in May 1995, I busily continued my job search. While I was searching, I picked up a couple of projects as a subcontractor for the School. In February 1996, I accepted a position with the (then) Ohio Department of Human Services in the (then) Office of Medicaid. I still work in the same area but over the last 6 years have been in four different positions with progressive responsibility. Not only has my position changed, but also the organization has been through tremendous change. I am now in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in the Office of Ohio Health Plans.

What is the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of your current job?

> My job is exciting because of the role it plays in the State. The Medicaid program in Ohio provides health coverage to about 1.4 million people a year (and that number is growing). That is in excess of 10% of Ohio's population. We contract with over 36,000 health care providers in Ohio. And we infuse over 8 billion dollars into Ohio's economy each year. I work for a program that touches many lives and businesses and plays a key role in the state's economy. It is very satisfying to be part of and feel valuable to such a program, as well as it is a tremendous responsibility.

Do you feel your MPA/MPP is helping you to “make a difference?” How?

> My MPA has definitely helped me to make a difference. Without it, I would not be in this position. The program helped me understand the kinds of work that goes on "behind the scenes" and where I could focus my talents and energies.

What advice, if any, would you give to an undergraduate thinking about going for an MPA/MPP?

> My advice to an undergraduate thinking about an MPA or MPP:
1. Ask yourself not just what you care about and are interested in (health care, the environment, housing, poverty, transportation, etc.....) but what role you want to play within that subject area or field. 
2. Think about the program as a global package, not individual classes.

My advice to someone actually entering an MPA or MPP program:
1. Do the reading and go to your classes
2. Get to know and take advantage of faculty
3. Get to know and take advantage of fellow students and alum
4. Spend time focusing on how the coursework works comprehensively and paints a picture larger than the content of an individual class.