Finding My Path in Public Service

When I started my Professional Work Experience (PWE) with ACCESS Cary, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives. I just wasn’t exactly sure what that would look like. Over the past several months, this experience has helped me narrow down and has shown me where I feel I can make the biggest impact.

One thing that surprised me most was how much happens behind the scenes to create truly inclusive communities. Before this internship, I mostly thought about accessibility in terms of accommodations or inclusive programs. While those things are incredibly important, I’ve learned that inclusion starts much earlier than that. It starts with the policies we write, the way parks are designed, the training employees receive, and the decisions local governments make every day.

One of the highlights of my PWE has been working toward the Town of Cary’s National Inclusion Project accreditation. Through this process, I completed the National Inclusion Project Specialist Course and have been helping with research and data collection to support the department’s accreditation efforts. I’ve also had the opportunity to work alongside the Town’s ADA Coordinator on accessibility audits of more than 30 parks across Cary, including Downtown Cary Park. Walking through parks with a different perspective has changed the way I think about public spaces. Visiting Downtown Cary Park was a great reminder that accessibility is most successful when it’s intentionally incorporated into a space from the very beginning. Things that many people never notice, like accessible routes, playground equipment, signage, or seating, can make a huge difference in whether someone feels included or left out.

More than anything, this experience has confirmed that I want my career to center around helping people. Whether that’s through disability advocacy, ADA coordination, accessibility planning, or even Human Resources, I’ve realized that what excites me most is finding ways to remove barriers, so everyone has the opportunity to participate and succeed. My coursework in the MPA program has taught me about the systems and policies that support communities, but my PWE has shown me what those systems look like in practice.

This work has also reinforced an important lesson from my MPA coursework: meaningful change requires collaboration. Accessibility cannot be achieved by one department or one individual. It requires planners, parks professionals, human resources staff, program coordinators, and community members working together toward a shared goal. Seeing how these different perspectives come together has deepened my appreciation for local government as a place where thoughtful leadership can improve everyday quality of life.

Perhaps the most meaningful realization has been how closely this work aligns with my personal passion for helping people. Growing up in the disability community has shaped the way I see inclusion, but this experience has shown me how I can turn that passion into a career. Instead of simply advocating for accessibility, I want to help build systems that make inclusion the standard, not the exception.

As I think about my future, I am increasingly drawn toward careers that combine public administration with disability advocacy. Whether that means serving as an ADA Coordinator, working in accessibility planning within local government, supporting inclusive employment through Human Resources, or advancing disability inclusion in the nonprofit sector, I know I want my work to focus on removing barriers and creating opportunities for others.

My time with ACCESS Cary has not changed my commitment to public service. Instead, it has given it direction. It has shown me that effective public administration is ultimately about people. Policies, budgets, strategic plans, and organizational systems all matter because they shape the experiences of the communities we serve. As I continue my MPA journey, I look forward to building the skills needed to become a leader who helps create communities where everyone belongs.