• 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?

> Reputation of the school, the quality of the faculty, and availability of a graduate assistant positions factored into my decision as to what school I chose to attend.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> I held a graduate assistant position at the University of New Orleans and at the National University of Scientific Research – Urbanism in Montreal, Quebec.

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

> The political science courses were the most important and useful because they provided historical perspective on the development of public sector issues.

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?

> From a management intern position in the Clark County, Nevada, Manager’s Office, I was promoted to an analyst position in the Finance Department before leaving the county to work as a lobbyist for the power company. I returned to Clark County as an administrator for the DA’s Office before taking the my current administrator position in the Las Vegas Justice Court.

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

> Motivating employees is the most challenging and rewarding aspect of my current job. Improving public services and facilities is fun!

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

> Yes, my MPA curriculum had a wonderful balance of practical and academic courses which has helped me improve my decision-making.

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

> Choose a school that is different from your undergraduate school.