"Skills that I learned and gained in graduate school, I’ve used in the private sector as well as in the public sector. That includes quantitative analysis and strong writing skills, as well as the ability to interpret data and research findings and then translate them from academia into more plain language – this makes research and learning accessible across different audiences."

Since graduating from the La Follette School, Andrew Behm (MPA ’15) has moved between the private and public sectors, but his work has always involved helping municipalities pay the bills. His new position as a capital finance officer at the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) is in the same vein.

Master of Public Affairs (MPA) candidate Mikhaila Calice shared her perspective on addressing climate change during the Fastest Path to Zero Summit in April at the University of Michigan. Summit participants included high-level clean energy and climate leaders, policymakers, news reporters, and faculty from Michigan’s energy policy and engineering programs.

La Follette School students Patrick Landers and Vanessa Studer along with Casey Hutchison (MIPA ’18) and Danny Benson (MPA ’17) advanced as finalists in the highly competitive Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) program. 

On one of my first days in the program, a faculty member told our cohort, “If you’re interested in making money, you’re in the wrong program. We’re in the business of making the world a better place.” From that moment, I knew I made the right choice.

Walking across the country seemed like a romantic idea at the time.

On a near daily basis, I am in meetings that relate to a real-world version of grad school group work. Whether it is assisting in development of a new citywide housing policy, compiling information on digital innovations, or coming up with ideas for #cityhallselfie day, much of the work I’m engaged in involves a deep level of communication and collaboration.

Graduate school has been incredible in helping me find new areas of interest and connecting me with professionals and peers who have been instrumental in setting me on a path that I am confident about.

At the La Follette School, I learned how to work with and manage large data sets and manipulate them with statistics. I use those skills every day.