• 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 UND because of its excellent reputation and because it provided degree opportunities via long-distance learning – they flew instructors to Bismarck to teach courses.

I was already working in the public sector when I enrolled in the program. The courses gave me a better understanding of the workings of government and theoretical underpinnings of how things work and why things are the way they are. This knowledge made me better equipped to do my job and created career advancement opportunities.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> I was working full-time in the public sector while I was enrolled in the program. I was initially working for the state Department of Transportation but later accepted a position with the state Public Service Commission.

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

> Administrative Law.

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 working for the Public Service Commission ever since I graduated in 1981. I was in a staff position until I became a division director in 1990. In 1994, I was appointed executive secretary, the agency’s chief administrative officer.

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

> Influencing public policy.

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

> Yes. I feel that my degree helped me get the job that I currently have. In this position, I have the opportunity to work with my agency and the Legislature to shape public policy related to regulating utilities industries. These policies are aimed at striking a balance between the need of businesses and their customers. Being able to find common ground is very gratifying.

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

> With a career in the public sector, be prepared to be satisfied with a relative degree of stability in employment rather than a huge income. Expect frustrations at not being able to get things done as quickly as you or the people that you serve might like. Gratification is often long-term.