• 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?

> My decision to attend the University of North Dakota (UND) was based upon the schools academic credentials, professor experience, and the convenient distant learning opportunity of the UND Graduate School satellite site in Bismarck. The coursework in finance, personnel management, organizational theory, and administrative law prepared me for the daily activities of my current position as public works director. 

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> I worked full time for the City of Bismarck, as Purchasing Agent, while attending graduate school.

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

> I had three courses that were most useful and important: Personnel management, Budgeting, and Organizational Analysis/Theory.

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?

> Presently I am the Public Works Director for the City of Bismarck. I want to continue in this capacity for years to come.

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

> The most exciting aspect of my job is working with people on a daily basis in problem solving and trying to provide the various public works services (water, sewer, streets, lighting, fleet, sanitation) to everyone in an efficient, fair manner.

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

> My MPA experience has made a difference. I had an advantage on paper by having the master’s degree. I had many of the technical public works skills prior to enrolling at the University of North Dakota, but lacked the knowledge of going beyond the technical world into the theory world. The MPA program taught me how to incorporate theory into technical/practical real world situations. The MPA program helped me use theory and practical experience together to resolve the challenges of daily work activities.

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

> Continue with your master’s degree program as soon as you can after receiving your undergraduate degree. I waited 10 years to get my master’s degree. It was difficult to get started, to initiate study skills, manage time between work and family, and to become a student again. But it was well worth it. I would do it all over again.