• 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 chose the University of Maryland because of its proximity to Washington, D.C. and because of many recommendations I received from my undergraduate professors. The Public Sector Financial Management concentration did a fantastic job preparing me for my professional experience.

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> I worked for the National Park Service Budget Office and I was responsible for historical data analysis and research. I also worked for Montgomery County, Maryland Finance Office where I was responsible for tax burden analysis.

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

> Federal Budgeting, State and Local Budgeting, and Finance.

Were you a Presidential Management Intern?

> Yes, Office of Management and Budget.

What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?

> After graduation, I began working for the Executive Office of the President, in the Office of Management and Budget. I then worked for the Office of Budget Management in the City of Boston as a Management Analyst. In 1996, I became the Chief of Staff for the Finance Cabinet in the City of Boston and currently I am working as the Budget Director for the City of Boston.

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

> I enjoy providing objective analysis to policymakers. 

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

> Yes. The cross-disciplinary training prepares you for how the disciplines of law, political science, finance and economics intersect on the job.

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

> Take advantage of opportunities to do an internship. An internship will help students determine how they would like to apply their degree.