The entire MPA experienced has shaped what public administration means to me. Many people outside of the program do not realize this is not just a program. It is not just another graduate school, but a program that changes lives. I feel like this profession and program is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. On a more personal note, I have never felt so excited about my life and my career. I appreciate what UCF and this MPA program has done for me by opening the door to an immense amount of opportunities that no amount of tuition money could replace. I am very grateful for …show more content…
This is all covered in the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration’s (NASPAA) five core competencies of having the ability to lead and manage in public governance, the ability to participate in and contribute to the policy process, to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions, the ability to articulate and apply a public service perspective, and the ability to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry. All five of these competencies are crucial to thinking and planning strategically, manage services, understanding the complexities in management, and applying effective administration of financial and human resources are also important to my learning and development process. Learning and research in my research methods class has also given me to evaluate and process quantitative data as