Professional Development at UNC MPA

UNC MPA provides professional development opportunities for students throughout their time in the program. Through the generous donations of alumni, the support of our career services team, and the professional development fund, we were able to support 37 students with interests in local government to attend the annual North Carolina City and County Management conference in Winston-Salem. The conference provides a networking environment to learn alongside local government leaders. While this conference traditionally is for those interested in local government and city/county management, a few of the attendees went to network and gain exposure because of the intersection local governments have with nonprofit organizations, state governments, and even the federal government. It helps students understand cross sector collaboration and intergovernmental relations.

At conferences such as NCCCMA, students receive the opportunity to mingle with faculty, alumni, and seasoned career professionals. Our career services team provided opportunities like the speed networking session, the alumni breakfast, and the Happy Hour to network at. They also encouraged students to sit at tables at with new people, not just their classmates. And they were always on hand at the conference to help introduce students to alumni through informal conversations.

Our team really encourages students to be active participants during these opportunities. Going to sessions, taking notes, asking questions, engaging at lunches, and talking to new people is what it’s all about. It is a challenging task often times for students, but gaining confidence throughout one’s time in graduate school is part of professional development. It’s part of being a leader. Finding yourself in uncomfortable situatoins and using your skills and abilities to navigate them.

We caught up with two students who attended to hear more on their experience.

————————————————————————————————————-

Victor Morats, MPA/JD student

‘NCCCMA was a great experience especially for people who are unsure about what they want to do when they graduate. Though it is very tailored towards town and city managers, I was able to have countless fascinating conversations with managers about individual service departments. The event was also very welcoming to students with countless sessions dedicated to MPA students and aspiring town managers. Though I am still not quite sure what I want to do after I graduate, I gained a lot from attending NCCCMA and have a better understanding of what a career in a city or county manager’s office would look like.’

Zakiya Parker, MPA Student

‘I had a fantastic time at the 2025 North Carolina City and County Manager Association Winter Seminar (NCCCMA). From an inspiring speech by keynote speaker Sonya Hopson to networking and mini-sessions based on current workforce topics, NCCCMA did not disappoint. As a first-time conference attendee, I did not know what to expect and tried to experience everything the event had to offer. One of my favorite sessions explored how to navigate working with multiple generations by teaching the negative impacts of generational stereotypes and highlighted how each generation can learn from each other to optimize communication, work culture, and the importance of passing on skills and knowledge.

I also enjoyed the speed networking session on day two of the seminar. The session forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to meet and learn from several city and county managers. Each interaction felt genuine and unique. The fact that each manager I encountered was excited to share their experiences with me and provide invaluable tips made my time at the conference even more meaningful. In fact, Prior to this experience, I never considered a career in local government management. My goal has always been to work in community development or pursue a federal position. However, I am considering a new path after attending the NCCCMA seminar.‘