Many individuals enter a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program because they want to advance professionally to better serve others in their community. Underserved populations in urban areas stand to benefit greatly from the knowledge, skills and experience that professionals gain from the coursework and practicum of an MPA program. MPA graduates can give back to their communities and find professional fulfillment by working with inner city government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Government Service
Many professionals pursue an MPA degree with government service in mind. MPA graduates can hold jobs in local and state governments in managerial, directorial and executive positions for agencies working with underserved and diverse populations. For example, administrative services managers work for government agencies planning and coordinating services for underserved communities in areas including healthcare, education, housing, nutrition and employment. MPA program graduates can also serve as directors of these same government agencies, overseeing the operations of programs and the use of resources to meet the community's needs.
At the executive level, MPA program graduates with prior leadership experience can serve communities in need as city managers or by running for elected offices such as mayor or city council member. In executive positions for the city, MPA grads can emphasize inner city rejuvenation and initiate or develop local programs to assist those most in need.
The Nonprofit Sector
In the nonprofit sector, professionals with an MPA degree can help underserved populations in a variety of jobs across a number of organizations. Nonprofit chief executive officers need the skills and experience of an MPA degree to see to their duties as leaders in service; they have the responsibility of leading by example within their organizations as they provide services to those most in need within their communities. Association leadership is another area where MPA grads can help the underserved by coordinating the efforts of many organizations throughout an entire association.
MPA program graduates can also become directors of development for nonprofit agencies working in inner city areas. This type of director is responsible for coordinating the needs of those being assisted through the resources available from grant funds, donors and other sources. A director of development knows the pulse of the organization and is able to lead a fund-raising team in gathering the resources necessary to provide services.
An online MPA degree program will prepare graduates for the exciting and rewarding work of serving those most in need in their communities. Graduates will make daily use of the skills they learned in their MPA programs, including leadership, management, communication and analysis. The underserved populations in the communities where these graduates work will reap the benefits of the graduates’ expertise and experience.
Learn more about the UT Arlington online MPA program.
Sources:
http://mastersinpublicadministration.com/25-exciting-career-paths-in-public-administration
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