• 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 wanted a smaller school with great internship possibilities. My career goal was to become a Township/City Manager. I was accepted to both Villanova and Syracuse. I chose Villanova due to the size, scholarship funding and the opportunity to intern in local government. It prepared me for my career in local government because of the many adjunct professors from the local government and the vast number of internship opportunities provided.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> During my entire MPA program, I interned full-time in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, as a Management Intern. It was a wonderful experience.

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

> The Finance course was invaluable. I use the skills from the Finance course in my daily tasks. Public Administration was also important. It provided a valuable overview of the field and the profession as a whole.

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, I was hired by the Township where I interned. I am the Assistant Director of Finance and most recently appointed Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator. In five years, I hope to be an Assistant Township Manager for a mid-size/large community or a Township Manager for a small community.

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

> Helping people. Even though I work a great deal with collecting taxes, I do enjoy helping a taxpayer through the process and successfully helping them navigate to a conclusion. I enjoy helping people everyday at my job.

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

> A MPA is a valuable tool. It has enabled me to approach my work with a core value system and ethics based background that other degrees may not provide. I know I am making a difference each day.

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

> Don’t think only about the money. You can be successful and financially secure in the field of public service. It is perhaps the most rewarding career choice one can make.