Local Government Book
Our goal with this project is to help those interested in local government gain a better of sense of what it is like and what jobs are available to them. We are endeavoring to reach out and interview as many local government officials as we can throughout the county. The data is conducted by interviewing directors in city management, public safety/emergency, finance, human resource, parks and recreation, planning/economic development, public relations/communications, public works and any other position that may not fit in those categories throughout all the 50 states in the nation.
The interview is roughly 20 minutes long where eight questions are asked. Those questions are:
The interview is roughly 20 minutes long where eight questions are asked. Those questions are:
- Question #1: In your job, what do you roughly do day to day? Will you tell us about common tasks that you work on? (Can be mundane to exciting)
- Question #2: What attracted you to local government and why do you choose to stay?
- Question #3: What has been a defining experience in your current local government position? (Can be challenging or rewarding)
- Question #4: How do you think the population of where you work affects your local government position?
- Question #5: What is unique about your position in your state?
- Question #6: What’s one hard skill and one soft skill that you frequently use to be successful in your career?
- Question #7: What is one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of local government workers?
- Question #8 (Optional): Many MPA students have expressed concerns about their finances if they pursue a career in local government. Would you feel comfortable sharing if you had similar concerns and how you navigated that starting your career?