How long have you been in the program and what is your concentration?
I began the program in Spring of 2023 as an Accelerated Admissions student, so I will graduate this May! My concentration is Town, City, and County Management.
What are your career goals, and how has the MPA program helped you to progress towards your goals?
While my ultimate career goal is to become a City Manager, I hope to gain more experience working in local government first. The MPA program has been very supportive of my goals from day one and has helped me in both course work and through connections made with the alumni network. Many of the courses in the program are discussion heavy and allow us to practice problem solving in real world scenarios based on specific course content such as finances, policy writing, personnel, etc. These discussions are beneficial and prepare students for situations they may face throughout their careers. Additionally, the internship requirement allows students to have hands-on experience as well as make connections with members of the alumni network. I was fortunate to intern with the same city for two consecutive summers, and I've now landed my full-time first job with them. The City of Conover has been very supportive of my MPA journey, allowing me to work part time this semester and joining full time in December as a Permit Technician in the Planning Department.
What advice would you give to a prospective student about the App State MPA program?
The biggest piece of advice I have for prospective and new students is to utilize the ASU Local Government Alumni Association! The organization is a unique aspect of our university, and they do so much to support students. If you have any questions about whether or not you are interested in Local Government or are curious about what they do, the alumni are a great resource to talk to. Once you are in the program the association supports students through networking, scholarships, internships, and even jobs.
Do you have a favorite quote that is meaningful to you?
One quote that I have always appreciated is “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” - Anne Frank. It serves as a reminder that it is the small moments and choices we make in a single day that seek to make the world better, moments such as simply smiling at a stranger or being kind to someone who is having a hard day. It is also inspirational for those of us in Local Government and serves as a reminder that the work we do in our individual communities matters and is making a difference in the world, one community at a time. How encouraging it is to know that some of our smallest actions give each and every one of us the ability to take a step towards making the world better day in and day out.
Melanie Jordan
Melanie Jordan