• 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?

> North Carolina State is only 30 miles from my hometown and offered evening classes, which allowed me to continue working full-time while I went to school. Getting my MPA degree reassured me that I was in a career that I truly enjoyed. Many jurisdictions require a master’s degree for management positions. Therefore, the MPA degree also helped me to acquire my current management position.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> I served as Johnston County Assistant Manager while going to school.

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

> I enjoyed the public policy and theory courses, as well as personnel management.

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?

> I have been in local government for 16 years, 4 as a county manager. In 5 years, I hope to be here in Johnston County, North Carolina. I have the best job in the world.

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

> I enjoy balancing multiple tasks at a time and dealing with both short and long-term issues. The most exciting part of my job is when we have a groundbreaking ceremony for a new industry, or when an area of the county is able to tap into a public water line. It excites me when I see that someone’s life is improved. 

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

> The MPA degree is allowing me to share with others how important it is to pursue an education in this business. I love to talk about North Carolina State’s MPA program.

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

> Just do it. There is no perfect time to go back to school, so just make up your mind and go for it. You will never regret it.