Kevin Clark's E-portfolio

Public Leadership Culminating Experience for MPA

September 3, 2013 by keclark@memphis.edu · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

 Overview

  • What made you decide to obtain an MPA?

Living on earth these 35 years I thought I was motivated by money; I thought the more money the better. However I have learned that helping people is really my passion.  Obtaining a MPA provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively be a leader in a sector that I am passionate about. I firmly believe that government agencies and non-profits need leaders that have the experience with working with people on the front line. I cannot think of a better way to give back to my community. The MPA allows me to do that in an effective way.

  • What public policy issue or issues are you passionate about?

In today’s climate of government agencies and non-profits being shut down due to contributions decreasing and budgets being cut, I am passionate about finding ways to run agencies and non-profits more efficiently and effectively through the use of technology. I believe that using technology to develop ways to allow governments and agencies to be better connected to their citizens and clients can give information that administrators can use to make better decisions.  Better decisions will yield more effective and efficient use of funding.

  • What are your career goals?

In the short term I would like to advance in my current career with the Tennessee Dept. of Human Services in more of a role that will allow me to use my extensive management, problem solving and customer service experience. In the long term, I plan to go back to school to pursue my doctorate and maybe consult for different government agencies and non-profits to help them be more efficient and effective in their processes by using technology.

  • How has the MPA degree impacted your career path?

The MPA degree has impacted my career path in a positive way. I plan to use it immediately in my career with the State of Tennessee. Nevertheless, many students in the MPA program decided to focus their classes and research to specific public issues; by doing that they have become more of an “expert” in that issue. (i.e. nonprofit, education, infant mortality, crime, etc.) These students have more of an understanding of what’s next for them in regards to their career. I took an alternative generalist approach that allows me to be more flexible in consideration for career opportunities in the future.  The downside of this approach is that there is not a logical next step for me. It is a gift and curse I guess.

  • What are some of the most important values and knowledge that you obtained through the MPA?

Three classes in the MPA program have really added to my knowledge base as a student, as an administrator and exposed me to different opportunities within the public administration sector.

  1. Administrative Theory has made me a better writer.
  2. Policy Analysis has shown me how to professionally present policies in a way that is organized and easily understood
  3. Public Management Info Systems exposed me to the world of public management consulting

 

One Comment so far ↓

  • Jake

    The decision to pursue a Master of Public Administration (MPA) often stems from a desire to impact society positively. The realization that helping others can be more fulfilling than merely chasing financial success is a profound insight that many experience. The MPA provides the skills to lead effectively within government and non-profit sectors, where leadership is crucial. For those aiming to refine their skills further or tackle complex writing tasks related to their studies, checking out bachelorarbeit kaufen could be beneficial, as they offer writing services tailored to your educational needs. With the right knowledge and passion, pursuing an MPA can significantly enhance your ability to serve your community effectively.

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