How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I believe I joined at the beginning of 2018. I became aware of the organization through the ICMA student chapter at my university (FGCU).
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I am not an ICMA member.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I will finish my BA in Political Science and hope to pursue an MPA directly after my undergrad.
Why did you select a career in public service?
My interests in public service has roots in personal and educational experience. Personally, my family’s immigrant status interested me in politics. I decided to study political science and my internship opportunities in the state legislature and in Lee county have furthered my interest in public service.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector?
I have completed internships in the public sector and will begin an internship in the private sector shortly. This internship will be with Allyn International in Fort Myers and I will be working with Global Trade Compliance.
If you are currently a student, what is your program of study?
My area of study is Political Science which I will finish in the spring of 2019. I hope to continue onto an MPA program.
Please describe your typical day.
I will describe my typical week as it is more reflective. Two days of the week are dedicated to my internship. I return home to do homework. Another two days are dedicated to in class time and after class I typically get more homework done. My weekends consist of spending time with family and again more homework.
For students, what is your favorite part of your educational process thus far?
The educational process has made me more confident in pursuing the path that I am taking. I believe that the blend of education and internship experience has been the most beneficial development for myself.
For students, what is your least favorite part of your educational process thus far?
The least favorite part of my educational process has been the lack of in classroom dialogue. Class is very lecture based and followed through discussion online. I don’t believe it is nearly as engaging as in person.
If you are involved in any volunteer or leadership activities in your community, please share with us a bit about what you do and why it is important to you.
Currently, I am not involved in any. I do have experience doing service abroad and throughout various cities in the U.S.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
My internship in Lee County allowed me to think about solution making beyond an idealistic theoretical lens.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy running and believe it helps with all aspects of health: physical, emotional and mental.
If you are a person interested in a career in public service, what question would you ask a seasoned manager?
I am curious about the transitionary periods between formal education and entrance into government positions. I would ask what they believe are crucial positions, skills, etc.
If you are a student or new to the profession, who are your mentors?
I have had many mentors throughout my undergraduate years. Directly related to local government management would be Bob Lee at Florida Gulf Coast University. He spoke to me about the profession, about graduate school, and connected me with other managers.
If you are a student or new to a career in local government management, did you have any other career paths you initially considered, and why did you ultimately choose public service?
I am also interested in federal government positions and non-profit work.
Do you have a story you can share about how being a member of FCCMA has helped you or impacted you in a positive way?
As a junior during my undergrad I was able to attend the FCCMA annual conference in Orlando. Meeting managers from across the state helped me affirm my interest in governance. This helped me decide my post-graduate ambitions to pursue a graduate degree in public administration. I am very thankful for the capability to turn my passions and interests into an altruistic career.
