Overview
Before you begin this discussion, please read the following articles
- Kumle-Hammes, M. (2015). The power of your MPA.Links to an external site. PA Times, July 31.
- Newfarmer, J. (2015). Are you a leader or a manager? Links to an external site.PA Times, July 21.
- Paddock, S. (2015). A reading list for PA professionals.Links to an external site. PA Times, September 11.
- Paddock, S. (2016). Keeping your eye on the prize.Links to an external site. PA Times, June 28.
- Krejci, D. (2014). Developing leaders in the public sector: Diversity in the workplace and social equity. Links to an external site.PA Times, October 3.
The themes of the articles were purposely chosen to help you think about your future with an MPA. Kumle-Hammes (2015) points out the power of your MPA, suggesting ways you need to think about your new skills. Newfarmer (2015) discusses the difference between managers and leaders, and wants you to become a leader. Paddock (2015) provides a reading list to help expand public administrators’ horizons. Paddock (2016) discusses how during times of difficulty, the best managers remain focused on the most important things.
INSTRUCTIONS
In your initial post, answer the following:
- In what ways do these articles help you think about your future with an MPA degree?
- What is interesting to you about each one?
- In what ways might following their advice help you?
- What, if anything, do you disagree with?
- How will having an MPA change your career path?
For your response posts, encourage other students to think about the articles and their career path in ways that they may not have thought of themselves. Having worked with the other students for nearly two months, you have gotten to see some of their strengths and can provide some personalized encouragement based on what they have done in the class.