Transcript Training and Development

Opportunities for Public
Administration in a
Global World
By:
Professor Evan M. Berman
Distinguished University Professor
International Ph.D. Program in Asia-Pacific Studies &
Department of Public Administration
National Chengchi University
[email protected]
This Presentation
 An Introduction
 Opportunities in a Global World
 How Students Can Get International in PA
 Promoting Yourself in a Global World
About Me
• My Background
• Ph.D. in 1988, taught at 3 major U.S. universities,
wrote 100+ articles and 8 books.
• Professional Association: American Society of
Public Administration (ASPA).
• Editor-in-Chief of ASPA’s Book Series in Public
Admin. and Public Policy (Taylor & Francis)
• Senior Editor of Public Performance &
Management Review
• Interested in Promoting PA Scholarship in East
Asia
ASPA’s Book Series in Public
Administration and Public Policy
A Global World in PA
• Citizens and businesses know what goes on
around the world - Countries, Counties and
Cities Compete.
• Top Managers know what goes on around the
world – Taiwan students and managers learn
from abroad, and travel abroad.
• Professional associations go international:
American Society of Public Administration
(ASPA) – CSPA/Taiwan is the first international
PA association to join ASPA!
Opportunities for Students
• Include international content in your studies
(include int’l examples and readings).
• Go to international conferences in your area of
interest – incl. presentations of foreign
•
•
•
•
practitioners and scholars in Taiwan
Email people abroad (e.g., other MPA students
or professionals) in your area of interest
Improve your English
Study abroad for a semester (exchange student)
Get your MPA or Ph.D. abroad.
Promote Yourself in a Global World
• Who do you want to be? What difference do
you want to make? What experiences do you
want to have?
Source: Berman, E. et al. (2009). HRM in Public Service (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage), 3/e, p. 142.
The Professional Commitment
Statement (PCS) Exercise
• Step 1: State what difference you want to make, and
explain why you are qualified and driven to do so.
• Step 2: Improve your resume
• Step 3: Make an appointment and visit with 4-6
people who are qualified to hire you when you
complete your studies. Ask them about the career
path and qualifications.
• Step 4: Stay in touch with them.
The Professional Commitment
Statement (PCS) Exercise
• Step 1: Putting it down on paper…
Example:
… more…
The PCS Exercise
Step 3: Interviewing
Interview 1
Tommy Smith
Associate Director
Office of Budget and Planning
I met with Mr. Smith on March 11, 2007. I had a number of questions about the field of
budgeting along with the state budgeting processes. He was able to clarify my
understanding and offered advice on job opportunities in the field. When reviewing my
resume’ he noticed it was not tailored to a specific job and stressed the importance of
doing that. He also suggested that with my background and current experience in
Accounting I needed to consider accentuating my budgetary experience. He also
recommended listing references and the importance of a strong cover letter. He said a
master’s degree is a must to start a career in budgeting. Upon graduation he said expect
to start in an entry level position with a one year training period, as the budget cycle is a
year long process. Mr. Smith gave me a few contacts in the Division of Administration
Office, but recommended I not contact them at this time due to current activity with the
state’s budget. He let me know that he would be available to answer any questions I may
have on these topics in the future.
Interviewing Outcomes -1
“ Of all the assignments I have had in my 7 years of higher education, this has
been the most practical. To actually learn about a technique and then being able
to implement – is priceless. From this experience, I have a new outlook for my
future. As an employee at LSU since my undergraduate career here, I have felt
that my current career choice was unintentional and hindering. From my talks
with these professionals, I can see that my current position is an opportunity.
This job has given me so many skills and introduced me to so many other
professionals that I will be able to do whatever I want to after I receive my MPA.
While focusing on Student Affairs now, I can use the skills in this field to pursue
a career in nonprofit management or become an entrepreneur. Now after these
interviews, I am thinking more about working with nonprofits because when I
spoke about this - I felt more passion than student affairs. Maybe I can tie them
together somehow. With this network of professionals that I am developing, I
plan to use them as a source for ideas, encouragement, and valuable resources
that they have access to.”
Interviewing Outcomes -2
“Overall, I found these networking experiences to be extremely valuable and
quire enjoyable. I probably should have began networking like this several
months ago, but I am glad that this particular assignment forced me to get out
and make valuable contacts at this stage of my career. On the whole, I was very
surprised at how receptive everyone was and how they all seemed quite willing
to offer advice, assistance, and career guidance. Scheduling the interviews was
also surprisingly easy, as everyone was willing to meet with me only one or two
days after I first contacted them. During the interviews themselves, everyone
spent an incredibly generous amount of time with me, ranging from forty-five
minutes to over an hour and a half. Doing this assignment has tremendously
decreased my anxiety level about finding a full-time job in the near future and
has given me greater overall confidence about my career goals. Now that I
realize that networking is not nearly as difficult as I feared, I plan to initiate
contact with a few administrators who work in nursing homes, assisted-living
facilities, and retirement communities, in order to learn more about the long-term
health care field and seek out many more valuable contacts to help me get
started in my career.”
How the PCS also helps…
Common Interview Questions
"Tell me about yourself."
"Why do you want to work at this organization?"
"What did you like/dislike about your last job?"
"What is your biggest accomplishment?"
"What is your greatest strength?"
"What is your greatest weakness?"
"Do you prefer to work with others or on your own?"
"What are your career goals?” or "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
"Tell me about a time that you had a lot of work to do in a short time. How did you
manage the situation?"
"Have you ever had to work closely with a person you didn't get along with? How
did you handle the situation?"
Conclusion
 The world is globally connected; Public managers are
part of a global world, and are expected to be familiar
with best practices – globally.
 Public managers travel abroad, and belong to
interactional associations
 Public managers define their purpose and identity, and
tell others of it.
 Students should state what difference they want to
make, and begin working towards that and telling
others of it.
 Students can take advantage of international
opportunities.