• 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 looked for a well-known, reputable university that would offer the fundamentals of public policy analysis and econometrics while balancing these disciplines with real-world experiences. Because I decided to remain in Washington, DC, and work while attending graduate school, I believe Georgetown University offered the strongest combination of academics and experienced professors in the public policy arena.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> I worked full time and attended graduate school on a part-time basis. From 1998-1999, I worked as the Economic Development Policy Director for the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations in Washington, DC. From June 1999 until graduation, I worked as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Michael B. Enzi (Wyoming).

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

> I believe Quantitative Methods/Econometrics was the most useful course for me because this learning experience continues to assist me in deciphering studies/reports to support or contrast a particular policy issue being discussed on Capitol Hill.

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?

> Since graduation, I have continued my public policy work as a Legislative Assistant and now a Legislative Director on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. I would like to continue my Capitol Hill career by becoming a Legislative Director in the U.S. Senate or a committee staffer on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Senate Commerce Committee, or Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

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

> The most exciting aspect of my job is that I am constantly challenged by the new public policy issues of the day, working with a variety of people on the local, state, and federal levels to reach a common goal, and traveling to various parts of our country and world to continue my learning process.

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

> Yes - My MPP degree has given me the technical expertise that allows me to better understand and solve public policy problems on both the macro and micro levels on Capitol Hill and for my Congressman.

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

> I believe any graduate student should work for at least three years before deciding what kind of graduate degree he/she should pursue. Working prior to graduate school will give you the ability to build experience and better work with others. I believe my internships and state experience prior to graduate school helped me to determine my desire to further pursue my education of the public policy processes.