Personal Statement

In the MPA program, I have learned about Public Administration from many different angles: the theoretical, the practical, the historical and the current. I have learned new skills and new ways of thinking.

The program's core courses give a fundamental grounding in practical aspects of the field including human resources, organizational behavior, research methods, microeconomics and budgeting. These courses provide a fundamental level of knowledge about the public sector and public organizations. I have learned, for example, how public employment has progressed from a spoils system, to the current merit-based system. I had the opportunity to delve into a research question of my choosing, the employment of  immigrants in public sector organizations. In electives, I have explored topics as varied as poverty, leadership and policy analysis. These courses complement each other and the core courses to provide a depth of understanding of the challenges facing public administrators and explored possible solutions. I had the opportunity to develop a personal leadership plan, setting career goals and steps to achieve them. I examined different theories of why poverty exists, and various methods used to alleviate the suffering and societal ills caused by poverty. Each course included a group project, offering the opportunity to practice team work, collaboration and leadership.

I began the program in Fall, 2005 as a full-time student. In October 2006 I accepted a Project Director position with the SUNSET Russian Tobacco Education Project. Working while going to school allowed me a place to test theories I learned in the classroom and learn new skills such as managing a budget and supervising staff. I have also gained first-hand experience with the future of government: public-private partnership. The project is a joint endeavor of the San Francisco Department of Public Health Newcomers Health Program and Bay Area Community Resources, a non-profit organization. I have also learned about the anti-tobacco movement and keep up my Russian language skills learned as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine.

Over the past 3 years of school and work, I have gained much knowledge and skills. My next step will be to seek employment in a public agency. Because the MPA is a generalist degree, I am ready to accept a variety of opportunities. I could work as an analyst for a local or national agency, helping determine which policies are working and why, and what could work better. I could manage front-line bureaucrats in a customer-service setting. I could manage a non-profit program, overseeing many facts from budget to personnel to programming. Ultimately, I seek a challenging position where I can make a difference for society and grow with an agency. Regardless of the sector, I am interested in a variety of issues areas including human services, the environment and women's rights. I hope to work on a variety of issues during my career.

Please explore the links to each issue area to see examples of my work.

If you would like my full resume, please email delilah AT sfsu DOT edu