Why a Public Service Degree?

What inspired you to pursue your MPA degree?

"I was curious about government in high school, which led to a variety of volunteer-based internships in high school and college, such as the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. Besides my parents gracefully pushing me to excel, I interned for a congressman who held an MPA degree. Then, I made a personal commitment to complete graduate school before I turned 30."

What do you love about what you do as a public servant?

The possibility of impacting a large number of citizens, companies, and society as a whole through small actions and improvements in the formulation and implementation of public policies. 

What advice would you give to persons interested in a career in public service?

“The impact is so high here, and we need good people, good thinkers, hard workers,” Cortez said. “I think about the impact I was able to have even in my first year working at LAO. You can really hit the ground running.”

How has your MPA/MPP degree helped you in your career?

“My MPA has been invaluable. It provided me with a strong foundation in public administration and community development, which were essential during my time with the City of Charlotte and now in running my own company. The degree really helped me build a framework for understanding how to navigate complex public systems, and more importantly, how to convey ”