Graduates of UNC’s MPA program have established successful careers at all levels of government service, with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, and as private sector consultants. Employers seek out UNC's MPA students because of their expertise in management, policy and analysis.
Career Services provides multiple opportunities throughout the year for students to meet employers and get to know our extensive network of active alumni.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Each summer, 1st year students spend 10 weeks working with an organization related to their area of interest. This summer students will work with Wake County, GAO, Regional Technology Strategies, EPA, Town of Chapel-Hill, City of Decatur (GA), NC General Assembly's Fiscal Research Division, City of Cary, Durham Police Department, Granville County, Carolina Center for Competitive Communities, NCDENR, Orange County, City of Rocky Mount, Fountainworks, and Charlotte- Mecklenburg Utilities.
JOB FAIR
The MPA program hosts a job fair for current students every February. Recruiters conduct individual interviews with 1st year students seeking summer professional work opportunities and, if they have permanent positions available, with 2nd year students beginning their job search. The following organizations participated this year:
Municipalities - Asheville, Chapel-Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Nags Head, Rocky Mount, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities
Counties - Granville, Orange, Wake, Chatham County Economic Development Corporation
State - NC Retirement Systems Division, NC Department of Public Instruction
Federal - EPA, GAO, OMB, Department of Homeland Security
Non-profits - Triangle Community Foundation, All Kinds of Minds
Private Sector – IBM Business Consulting Services
JOB POSTING LISTSERV
Every week, Career Services emails 2nd year students (and interested alumni) the latest job postings.
ALUMNI FIELD TRIPS
Each year, the MPA Program hosts a field trip to Washington, DC or a local government. Students and professors participate in employment forums during the day and attend networking events in the evening. In 2007, students met with alumni from GAO, Department of the Interior, Deloitte, IBM, Fairfax County and local non-profits.
2006 - Charlotte
2007- Washington, DC
2008 - Asheville
2009 - Washington, DC
FORUMS/NETWORKING EVENTS
Career Services sponsors two networking events each year where students can meet the School of Government faculty. The School of Government faculty consists of 50+ government experts from various fields.
MENTORING PROGRAM
At the beginning of the 1st year, students may volunteer to be connected with an alumnus. Students are matched with alumni according to their interests and introduced at the Alumni picnic or the annual Conference on Public Administration.
"It's given me a chance to explore career opportunities and bounce ideas off someone with real experience. In addition, my mentor has introduced me to many people in county government, whom I would never have met without her." Megan Wright, 1st year MPA Student
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