Personal Statement
“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen,
those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.”
~John M. Richardson, Jr.
I began my career in civil service in March of 2001. Having worked in the private sector, namely in broadcast radio promotions and marketing, the transition to public sector wasn’t easy. This was probably complicated by the fact that I didn’t have a strong interest in political science, public administration, government or history during my primary or under-graduate studies. However, six months after joining San Mateo County Human Services I participated in a program that dramatically changed my paradigm.
The experience stimulated my desire to learn more, and do more. Since graduating from the Academy, I have taken advantage of several other personal, professional, and academically centered development opportunities which include but are not limited to: the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) at San Francisco State University (SFSU), the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC) – Executive Development Program at University of California and Berkeley, and the Supervisors Academy for San Mateo County Supervisors.
These programs, coupled with the professional opportunities that I have been given with the San Mateo County Human Services Agency, have taught me many valuable things; however, the most salient point that resonates with me is that there is still a great deal of work to do. Armed with the knowledge and resources I have gained as a result of my MPA studies at SFSU and the support of my fellow talented, motivated and inspiring public administration professionals I am confident that we are the future, and we are the people who are going to make it “happen.”
