Jennifer Fox, Class of 2019
Q: What was the path you took to get to where you are now?
My path was not super linear. After undergrad, I tested the waters in some other fields, including law. It didn’t take me too long to realize that I wanted a career path more aligned with my personal passion of serving the public. I followed the advice of a mentor to look up people with careers that I admire and to see what kind of credentials they had. That’s when I kept coming across something called an MPA. It was the first time I had heard of this degree and was pleased to see that Carolina (my alma mater) had this as an option. The next thing I knew, I was applying for the online option, which allowed me to continue to work while earning my degree. In the blink of an eye, I had earned my degree and was working in local government, which was my goal when I started this journey.
Q: Have you pursued any other certifications since your MPA?
Since earning my degree, I have received a Certificate in Insights for Innovation (through IDEO U). This certificate is focused on using human-centered design approaches. I also earned my Black Belk from the Denver PEAK Academy.
Q: Is the field you are working in now relevant to your MPA degree?
Yes, it’s directly related. My focus is on strategic planning and continuous process improvement in local government.
Q: How did the MPA program specifically prepare you for future work experiences or inform what you do now?
The MPA Program helped me uncover my passion for things like local government and organizational theory. Importantly, it also helped me identify my strengths and understand the contributions I could bring to any organization. Throughout the program, I was exposed to many different case studies, lessons, and practical experiences that helped me build a solid foundation that would allow me to understand and approach complex challenges. This is critical to my current work. The Program’s emphasis on leadership development and the importance of adaptability have also been key in my career path. I could go on and on about how the MPA Program helped to prepare me and am happy to connect with anyone who would like to hear more, but I’ll end here by saying that the thing that I think truly makes this specific MPA program unique is the way that it helps you build a network of peers and mentors. When I entered the Program, I didn’t expect to make a lot of friends or connections – especially being in the online program. I’m still blown away by the MPA family I’m surrounded by today. I have so many friends and mentors that I’ve made through this program who have helped me beyond belief. The network is never-ending, and even though I’m a few years out of the program, I continue to be connected with new folks who are seasoned and recent graduates.
Q: Have you been able to fulfill goals formulated while in the MPA program? If so, how?
Definitely. I wasn’t sure how likely it would be that I would end up in local government. I was open to work in other levels of government, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector; however, my real goals were to one day work in the local government setting in an area that was meaningful to me. A few short months after graduating the Program, I was able to achieve both of those goals.
Q: Any other items you wish to share!
I’d just like to add that I have no regrets about pursuing my MPA from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government. It’s a truly outstanding program with the best support system. The faculty, staff, students, and alumni are all amazing and I’m forever grateful for my past and continued experience with the Program.
