Good Afternoon,
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and had an opportunity to reflect. I know I am grateful for each of you, the opportunity to work with you all as students, and also grateful for the work each of you do and will do in your organizations and communities! You inspire me and for that I am grateful!
As we reflect on what we might have to be thankful for, it makes me think about job searching and sailing (again I know - only 2 more months than another theme!). With sailing I am grateful for the perfect days, where the wind is blowing, the water is warm, and the sun is shining, but I am also grateful for the days it isn't perfect. The wind doesn't blow, it is freezing, or it is just miserable out. And as much as that sounds awful, and like why would you want to subject yourself to that, I am grateful to be out on the water doing what I love, or just with my family (and extended family) on shore when the breeze doesn't blow.
This is similar to the job search in that sometimes everything works out, you find the perfect job, you write a great resume and cover letter, and you rock the interview those are days/situations to be grateful for. But sometimes you aren't finding positions, or you don't do as well in an interview or you just don't get the job, and while that can be harder, know that there are still things to be grateful for. Grateful you got the interview, maybe grateful you didn't get the job because another one came out of it, or grateful that not seeing "perfect" positions helped you rethink your priorities and find something even better. It is hard to be grateful in the moment of hearing no on a job, or sailing with ice cold rain beating in your face, but after, upon reflection there may be something that came out of it that you can look back on that will be something you can be grateful for. And while I know that each of you will be and has the skills to be successful in your job search, know that I'm here to help you throughout that process!
In this Career Digest, I will share a few professional development opportunities, which will include conferences and workshops, upcoming events, and a few resources.
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. Wherever you are in the program or in your professional journey, I'd love to connect and help you develop your plan for next steps!
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 - chat me anytime. This is also a great way to practice your professional communication through chat as many employers utilize teams (or something similar) to stay in touch with employees (even if they're down the hall!).
Allison
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Professional Development Opportunities |
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As you all may know, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has been a pillar in the MPA Strategic Plan. We are in the process of developing strategies around our DEI goals and welcome any feedback you have on this.
One DEI-related suggestion that came from students was to create structured identity groups for underrepresented students of similar identities to have a space to connect. After input from various student leaders, faculty and staff of the MPA program, and the Graduate School here at UNC we would like to announce Identity Groups and Interest Groups in the MPA Program.
The identity and Interest Groups are a great way to make connections, build social capital, and engage with others who have similar identities/interests as yourself. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities!
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The application for the 2022 LGMF Cohort is now open!
The Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) is a career-development opportunity designed to attract recent MPA/MPP (or related programs) graduates to be placed in full-time management-track local government positions. Finalists are selected based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to public service, communication skills, initiative, creativity, and positive attitude. They then interview for 12-month fellowship appointments at local governments across the country, during which they receive direct mentorship from a senior government leader at the organization. (Appointments may be extended beyond the one-year term.) Since the program's launch in 2004, many alumni Fellows are now in chief administrative officers or assistant chief administrative officers; many others are in senior positions in local government. See where Fellows are now.
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In case you missed it: LinkedIn Learning, the on-demand learning solution designed to help you gain new skills and advance your career! LinkedIn Learning includes all Lynda.com content and more, and is available to all UNC-CH Faculty, Staff, and Students at no cost to you.
What is LinkedIn Learning?
LinkedIn Learning is an award-winning industry leader in online training, with a digital library of thousands of courses covering a wide range of technical, business, software, and creative topics.
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The City of Long Beach is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 cohort!
We will be holding virtual info-sessions as an opportunity for students to learn about the program, hear from current Management Assistants, and ask any additional questions.
Management Assistant Program Info-Sessions
Dates:
Time: 6-7:30pm PST
Location: Zoom
Watch our recruitment video to learn more about this exciting position!
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Hello Budgeteers, Another (long-awaited) issue of the NCLGBA Budget Buzz newsletter is here! Check it out for a preview of the Winter 2021 Conference and an article about the importance of maintaining a rainy-day fund. Enjoy and hope to see you at the Winter 2021 Conference!
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Professional Organizations |
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Join ELGL - Free
- As an SOG faculty, staff, or student, you can join our ELGL membership at no cost!
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ELGL Memberships - Add A New Member - email at the top of form should be foster@sog.unc.edu
- If you've joined in the past your membership should renew
ELGL Benefits:
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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.
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In Case you missed the conversation earlier this week, you can find the recording here
Stay tuned for future conversations and future topics.
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Have you ever thought, I should update my resume, or wow, that project would be great to include on my resume. The intranet has great resources on writing all forms of professional correspondence. |
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Find PWE Opportunities through this dashboard, check back often as new experiences are always being added!
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Current job opportunities from around the country!
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Connect with classmates, colleagues across formats, and stay connected on Career and Professional Development news and opportunities
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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.
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Professional Development Plan
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Email Allison (binkley@sog.unc.edu) to meet to discuss your Professional Development Plan.
- While the job market has begun to really hit its stride, and you most likely have your pick of organization, it is still important to make sure you have positioned yourself best for positions. I'm here to help you do that!
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Carolina MPA | UNC School of Government | carolinampa.sog.unc.edu | Website
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