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MPP Students meet with Board of Advisors

mpp-boa1.jpgOn Friday, November 15, 2024, the Public Policy master’s students met with the Board of Advisors for a day of professional development and networking. The Board members represented a variety of occupations and organizations including the U.S. Navy, Department of Justice, Secretary of Defense, Federal Communications Commission, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Ernst & Young. Designed as a hallmark of the Policy in Practice course, a master’s degree requirement, the event provided first and second year students the opportunity to learn how their specific policy interests are used in the private and public sectors.

To start the day, first year students were able to interview and be interviewed by Board members withmpp-boa2.jpg similar policy interests. While this presented first year students with the opportunity to hone their interviewing skills, it also allowed first year students to ask practical questions about the internship and job process. After their interview, first year students and Board members were divided into small breakout sessions to reflect on their interviews.

mpp-boa3.jpegThe evening featured an informal social with first year students, second year students, Board members, and faculty. While first year students spent the night networking and speaking to Board members, second year students presented their work with real-world clients. As a part of the Public Research Seminar, a requirement for second year students, students must work with real-world clients on an issue and present their findings to first year students, Board members, and faculty. The presentation allows second year students to practice presenting their research to a diverse but knowledgeable audience. This year clients included the Council for Exceptional Children, American Medical Association, National Institute for Civil Discourse, Virginia Sea Grant, Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission, and City of Newport News.mpp-boa4.jpeg

Overall, the Board of Advisors had an eventful weekend discussing the future of the Public Policy Program and interacting with current students and future co-workers. Showcasing William & Mary’s strong alumni network, master’s students were able to consult a vast amount of professional experience and guidance before continuing their internship and job searches. The event offered valuable insight into how first and second year students should develop their professional persona and practices to become successful in both the private and public sectors. As the semester draws to a close, first year students will finish developing their professional portfolio which includes cover letters, federal resumes, and resumes while second year students will present their research to their clients.