M.P.A.

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Careers in Public Administration

Public Administration and Public Service are in some ways synonymous with one another. Those who enter the field of Public Administration are public servants in the truest sense of the term. They are the men and women who provide the leadership for the delivery of the various services provided by local, state and national government. They may also provide the expertise that elected officials need to make public policy. Career opportunities range from supervising a city parks and recreation program or administering personnel policies to being a policy analyst for either a legislative body or an executive department. Some of our graduates also pursue careers in the administration of private non-profit organizations.

While the MPA program does not have a formal office or administrator for career guidance, there are several ways in which students receive information and advice related to their future careers.  When students first enter the program, the MPA Director inquires about their interests and career plans.  Some students have very clear career goals; others need more information and guidance.  This step begins a process of focus and refinement through which the program of study is developed.

Information on career possibilities is presented in several ways during the course of the MPA program.  Case studies used in the Core courses informally expose students to the different roles and responsibilities of public administrators.  Individual faculty members often provide information on certain career paths.  Many of the Nucleus Faculty have gained experience and contacts through consulting at all levels of government and can offer help in this regard.  In addition, visiting practitioners offer role models and advice.  A regular feature of the annual Sherman Lecture series is an informal luncheon for the Speaker and our MPA students.  Following the luncheon, the guest lecturer is asked to reminisce about her or his career, including early goals, choices, problems, and insights.  This has proven to be an informative and beneficial exercise.  Students are also encouraged to join the local chapter of ASPA and to attend conferences, such as those of the Southeastern Conference on Public Administration (SECOPA), where they can meet professionals in career paths that interest them.  Student interest in both has waned considerably over the last decade, though.  
    
The Placement Director, MPA Director, Office Administrator, and faculty assist in student placement in several ways.  The office maintains a file of current announcements obtained from the University’s Placement Office and other sources such as the PA Times.  It also provides limited telephone and clerical assistance to students (e.g., calling prospective employers, printing resumes).  In addition, an e-mail network of MPA alumni was established in the Spring of 2005 which has enabled a significant number of our alumni to forward announcements of job and internship vacancies to our office and current students.  Students are also encouraged to attend conferences where they can make useful contacts.  Prospective employers also visit campus in university-sponsored job fairs. 
           
In addition to the efforts of the MPA office and program, Auburn University’s Placement Office provides several valuable services.  It notifies the MPA program of the relevant job announcements that it receives; it sends out notices to and arranges interviews for students; and it offers occasional instruction in job hunting skills.

Probably the best resource for career information is the NASPAA web page.
http://www.naspaa.org/students/careers/careers.asp

The following two tables summarize the past placements of our students.  The first indicates the broad categories of jobs that our graduates got during 1994-98 and 2001-04, while the second lists the careers of individual graduates for 2001-04. 

Employment of Program Alumni

                     1994-1998         2001-2004

*Only those employed by educational institutions; does not include students continuing in doctoral programs.

Places of Employment:  MPA Program Graduates
2001-02 to 2004-05

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Last updated July 1, 2007