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Why a Public Service Degree?

MPA/MPP Alumni Spotlight

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    Alessander Jannucci, MPA

    FGV EBAPE - Escola Brasileira de Administração Pública e de Empresas Alumnus

    What are you excited for about your future as a public servant?

    What excites me about my future as a public servant is the possibility of aligning and defending domestic public policies with international public policies, notably regarding the environment and sustainable development.

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    Otavio Albuquerque Ritter dos Santos, MPA

    FGV EBAPE - Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration

    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. 

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    Son Chau, MPA

    New York University, Wagner Alumnus

    What advice would you give to persons pursuing a career in public service? One piece of advice I would give to any student is to do the personal, introspective work necessary to help you professionally. It is so important to understand who you are and what your personal mission is.

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    Noah S. Ward, MPA

    University of Texas at El Paso Alumnus

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

    My advice to those pursuing a career in public service is to approach it with a mindset of continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptability. Public service is both rewarding and challenging, requiring innovative solutions to complex societal issues while balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders. Building strong relationships with mentors, peers, and community members can provide valuable guidance and opportunities. Staying focused on creating meaningful impact and aligning efforts with community needs is essential. It’s also important to remain resilient and adaptable in a dynamic environment and to continually invest in developing skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Most importantly, always stay connected to your purpose and the reasons you chose public service. This connection will help maintain your motivation and drive, even through challenges.

     

     

     

Public Service Degrees

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Why Public Service?

Public Service Manifesto from Apolitical

When we worked here together, we fought, scratched and clawed to make people’s lives a tiny bit better. That’s what public service is all about, small, incremental change, every day. Teddy Roosevelt once said: “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is to work hard at work worth doing.” And I would add that what makes work worth doing is getting to do it with people that you love. ~ Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation