Short interview with new student Julia Egger

We love getting to know our students. They are diverse, smart, and representative of why public service leadership is a great career path. Read on to hear more about Julia Egger, one of our new on-campus MPA students!

Welcome to the Carolina MPA program Julia!  Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am originally from Scranton Pennsylvania, but I have lived in North Carolina since 2015. I got my associate’s degree from Wake Technical Community College, and my bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University. My favorite hobby is rock climbing both indoors and outdoors.

What made you decide to pursue the MPA?  Was public service or leadership a part of your upbringing, or was it something you were exposed through school and other work experiences?

I have always wanted to pursue a career in public service. Growing up my family was not very fortunate, so I know from personal experience the importance of public service work. I decided to pursue the MPA to give back to my community. I eventually want to use my degree to start my own nonprofit organization.

As you probably know, the MPA is a very versatile degree.  There is no ‘1’ career path.  Looking forward to your future and your time in the program, what do you look forward to learning or improving about yourself or a specific community or issue.

I look forward to improving my leadership skills during this program. I am also excited to learn about nonprofit management as that is my career goal. This program also offers numerous networking opportunities with alumni and public officials, and I cannot wait to seize those opportunities.

What is the last thing you read?

The last thing I read was part of Hans Rosling’s book Factfulness. The book discusses how our perspective on the world has been distorted by the media’s portrayal of affairs. Rosling also teaches the reader on how to differentiate misinformation from truth.

What was the highlight of your summer?

The highlight of the summer was my vacation to Florida. I spent time on a gorgeous island with clear water and saw manatees for the first time. I also got to go to Universal Studios and I got ride the Harry Potter attractions.

What has surprised you the most since classes started?

How close I have already become with my entire cohort. We have not known each other very long and we already have countless outings planned together.

What advice would you give to someone who is just graduating undergrad and thinking about graduate school?

If you are considering going to graduate school, I would first do research on the program you are interested in. I would also meet with your advisor to see if graduate school would be a good fit for you. Then I would meet with the admissions director of your program of interest and ask them questions that pertain to what you want to get out of the graduate school experience.

What motivates you?

I am motivated by my eagerness to learn new things, problem solve, and overcome challenges. I also strive to make a difference beyond my own personal gains.