Carolina MPA Career Digest March 2021
Good Morning,

As we pass a year of COVID-19, and we continue to reflect on its impacts, I hope you are well. The pandemic has impacted us all in many different ways, and I wanted to acknowledge that each of you may have had different impacts, whether you survived the virus, lost a loved one, or a job, found a new hobby, or appreciated your extra time with your family, I hope this email finds you healthy. This year has brought forth many challenges, but I also hope you are thinking about your career and professional development. The job market has been much more positive that anyone expected at this time last year, which is encouraging if you are searching. Even if you aren't currently job searching, there are a number of opportunities to continue to help you build the skills and relationships that could be beneficial in your future search.

In this digest I'll share a few professional opportunities, which will include conferences and workshops, a few upcoming events, and resources.

As a reminder, I am always available to discuss your career goals, help with your Professional Development Plan, and/or review your resume/cover letter, help with your job search, and/or help as you negotiate a job offer.

Lastly, don't forget to connect to the Microsoft Teams Career Services and Professional Development Team - access teams through Heelmail. We encourage you all to engage in the conversation in the teams group, ask questions, answer questions, share resources, etc. In addition to the team group, I am available for individual chat through MS teams (we can also simulate stopping by my office - if you see the circle by my picture is green, I'm not in an appointment and we can jump on a call or chat!).

Allison
Professional Development Opportunities
  
The 2021 series of 90-minute webinars will focus on these topic areas: ethics, management skill-building, leadership, community outreach, workplace development, career-building and provide practical tools for effective coaching, mentoring, and problem solving.

ncIMPACT's Anita Brown-Graham, Lori O’Keefe from Triangle Community Foundation, and Jeanne Tedrow from the NC Center for Nonprofits discuss what the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors continue to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed disparities, and racial inequity.

Time stamps: 
  • 1:53​ Intro & A look back on 2020
  • 6:37​ How do we fit the magnitude of this crisis against the resources?
  • 10:30​ Nonprofits Reaching Capacity
  • 16:00​ Addressing Nonprofit Burnout
  • 19:00​ How do nonprofits build opportunities for people of color led organizations?
  • 24:45​ The importance of funding people of color led organizations
  • 27:20 Hope for 2021
Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I be a more effective leader?” or “How can I better connect with and understand the Triangle region as a whole?” If yes, then we’ll see you at the 2021 THRiVE Leadership Summit, April 7-8, Virtual.

As the only Leadership Summit of its kind in the state, THRiVE will provide tools to:
  • Network and connect with HUNDREDS of other leaders in the Triangle
  • Increase your leadership adaptability and confidence
  • Gain a clearer vision of your role within the Triangle community
  • Uplevel your anti-racism and equity strategy
  • Inspire you to be your BEST self!
Curamericas is hosting its first virtual Summer Community Project Incubator where students think and implement their own ideas that benefit their communities.

The Center for Public Leadership and Governance has been communicating with Durham Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman to support the work she is doing to expand the number of women in political leadership in NC. Next week there is an hourlong virtual listening session hosted by Reflect.us, a national, nonpartisan coalition working to increase the number of women in office and achieve equal representation across the racial, ideological, ethnic, and geographic spectrums in the United States. Ms. Freeman hopes to extend this group’s efforts to the local level with the aim of recruiting more women to both elected office and into professional public service positions within local governments.
 
The group is seeking volunteer notetakers to assist with the Google Jamboard posting in the breakout sessions. [See sample questions here.] Interested students can register themselves as ‘Notetaker’ directly on the Reflect.us site here:  
LISTENING SESSIONS
North Carolina Listening Session
March 31, 7:00 PM ET
Indicate “notetaker” in the comment box when you register. The hosts from Reflect.us plan to use the following questions for the small group breakouts:
  • What are the barriers to increasing women’s participation in political leadership in your community?
  • What resources does your community have to address these barriers?
  • What do you want to change?
Professional Organizations
Join ELGL - Free

As an SOG faculty, staff, or student, you can join our ELGL membership at no cost!

ELGL Memberships - Add A New Member - email at the top of form should be foster@sog.unc.edu

ASPA’s goal, particularly with our student members, is to help you find the resources you need to connect with others, provide you with a clear picture of the public administration profession and help you learn how to start on their career path. ASPA’s resources—especially for students—are an invaluable starting point, potentially for the rest of your careers.

Access a PDF of the membership application here (https://www.aspanet.org/ASPADocs/membership/ASPAMembershipApplication.pdf); students also can apply online at www.aspanet.org/membership.
Upcoming MPA and SOG Opportunities

Apply here to take specific School of Government Client focused courses.

The overarching goal of this program is to provide professional development opportunities through an MPA co-curricular experience by allowing MPA students to participate in select SOG courses. 
The 2021 Deil S. Wright Lecturer is Norma M. Riccucci, Board of Governors Distinguished Professor at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration. She will deliver a lecture entitled, “Preparing People of Color for 21st Century Jobs: Unfulfilled Promises and Lost Opportunities.”

Riccucci’s talk will examine the predictions demographers and economists made in the 1980s about how the social makeup of the American workforce will change by the 21st century. It was predicted that by the year 2000 greater job opportunities for Blacks and Latinx would be created, particularly in the tech industry. Riccucci examines whether these forecasts have been realized and achieved. She asks, for example, “have investments been made in the human capital of Blacks and Latinx?"
Career Resources
Connect with classmates, colleagues across formats, and stay connected on Career and Professional Development news and opportunities
The MPA Intranet has many resources for your entire time in the program. The Career Pages on the intranet have undergone a major update and are now up-to-date. These pages serve as a great resource for where to start when thinking about your career development, how to write a resume, interview prep, how to network, etc.
Professional Development Plan
  • Email Allison (binkley@sog.unc.edu) to meet to discuss your Professional Development Plan.
  • As the job market and economy have become uncertain, it is especially important to consider your goals and steps to take to achieve those goals.
Carolina MPA | UNC School of Government | carolinampa.sog.unc.edu | Website
The Carolina MPA Intranet houses information and resources for students during the program.