MPA Career Offerings

MPA Career Offerings

UNC MPA alumni are committed to giving back, sharing experiences, and supporting current students as they move forward on an exciting adventure into public administration. Here are just a few ways you can connect with UNC MPA alumni today.

Follow the UNC MPA LinkedIn page and UNC Chapel Hill LinkedIn page to engage in conversation with alumni and keep up to date with alumni, MPA, and UNC happenings.

Ongoing Career Support

  • Student Professional Development Grant 
    • Purpose: This initiative serves as an opportunity to provide limited grant funding for professional development opportunities to students (ex: conference attendance, professional meetings, workshops, or professional organization membership). This funding is outside of program sponsored professional development (ex: NCCCMA Winter Seminar, SOG Courses, etc.).
  • ICMA Lodging Fund
    • Purpose: This pilot initiative provides funding from alumni donors specifically for lodging at the annual ICMA Conference. Each student can apply for up to $200 in funding for reimbursement of lodging expenses for the annual ICMA Conference. Applying for funding does not guarantee it will be awarded. Students will be reimbursed for actual lodging expenses up to $200 maximum per year. Students are eligible for funding while currently working towards their degree (either taking classes or completing their PWE).
    • Process Overview:
      1. Complete the Application Form prior to the ICMA Annual Conference
      2. The program will determine if funds will be awarded based on a set of criteria
      3. After completion of the ICMA conference, students must fill out this survey to be reimbursed
  • UNC MPA Alumni Mentor Program
    • The UNC MPA Alumni Mentor Program facilitates connections between MPA students and Alumni looking to develop lasting relationships while gaining mentorship and guidance. The UNC MPA Alumni Mentor Program begins and ends in alignment with the on-campus academic calendar, with mentors and mentees matched in July.
    • A mentee is any current student looking to: 
      • Build MPA community relationships that enhance learning and growth 
      • Test ideas and gain insight on professional roles and opportunities 
      • Gain experience with professional networking 
      • Increase self-confidence and communication skills
  • Alumni Mock Interviews
    • Interviewing is a skill which UNC alumni are here to help you with.  Engaging in mock interviews with alumni can help building confidence in your abilities while also creating an opportunity for networking and relationship building. Instructions for the Alumni Mock Interview Program [insert updated PDF]. Interested students should contact Shauna Hines-Farmer to be matched with an alumni mock interviewer.
  • Career Digest
    • You will receive monthly announcements via email with a personal career story and highlighted happenings in the career space.
  • Heels Engage
    • Connect with alumni and other UNC community members such as students, faculty/staff, and friends of the community who support Carolina students. This is a great place to reach out, connect and learn from our community. Join the UNC MPA Group on Heels Engage today
  • Resume Book
    • Students can submit their resume to a compiled resume book upon graduation (and we are asked periodically for copies of a students’ resume [e.g., meet the dean events, scholarship reports]). Calls for resume submissions come leading up to graduation.

MPA Career Events

  • Career Discovery Series
    • This series of panels (in person and virtual) offered each fall will introduce and expose you to MPA alumni and their various career paths through the lens of their current sector.
    • Over five weeks, 20 alumni will share their stories and paths, which means as they take time to be with us and share their stories, we expect that you’ll take time and attend and participate in each panel event in the series. Even if you think you know exactly what you’ll do in your career, we know this will be of value for networking and cross-sector understanding as you never know where your career will take you.
    • Watch previous panel recordings!
  • Career & Networking Fair
    • The Career & Networking Fair is a great opportunity to network with many employers who are interested in UNC MPA Students. Some will have PWEs they are looking to hire for, some will have full time job opportunities, and/or some are there to network with students for future opportunities. Each organization is one that brings a lot of value for you to learn from and interact with and is there to make connections with you! The fair typically takes place each January at the School of Government and is open to all students.
  • Career Treks
    • Career Treks are outings designed to offer students the opportunity to witness real-world projects, connect with public service professionals, and/or engage with MPA alumni working in the field.
    • Previous treks include
      • Town of Hillsborough
      • North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA)
      • NC State Agency Networking Event
  • Happy Hour Hubs
    • Connect with MPA alumni, staff, and faculty throughout the year at a designated location or event.
      • Past Events (2024-2025)
        • Asheville
        • ICMA
        • NCCCMA
        • Raleigh
  • Alumni Picnic
    • The kickoff picnic is an annual event sponsored by the MPA Alumni Association to welcome new on-campus and online students to the Carolina MPA family. Students and their families are invited to join fellow alumni, faculty, and staff for a picnic in Chapel Hill.
    • The kickoff picnic is usually held the Saturday following orientation in late August.