Enhancing the graduate education experience and building pathways for students to obtain careers are typical goals of every professor. One technique that I have found to be fruitful is to partner with government agencies to provide students with real-world experience and skills that transfer outside of the classroom. In my personnel management course, I have partnered with the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to conduct mock interviews, which provides an opportunity for students to directly apply coursework while practicing their own interview skills. This exercise also benefits OSBM, as it informs students about the office’s work and opportunities available for students while in the program and upon graduation. Several students have applied for their summer internship program as a result of their exposure to OSBM in the classroom. This exercise can be applied with local government agencies as well. 

Another opportunity to build a pathway for students to the local government profession is to host guest speakers from communities throughout the state and connect them with professional associations. These opportunities transform the learning environment by helping students apply course content and learn about different communities and various professions. Being intentional about diversity of community, speaker, profession, and agency helps students see themselves in these roles.

It is also important to nurture the relationships made with the public service professionals beyond the classroom. One way to engage with and continue conversations with them is to reconnect at local, regional, or national conferences. 

In one of my fall 2024 courses, Wanda Page, retired city manager of Durham, North Carolina, was a guest speaker. We reconnected with Page when the students and I attended the North Carolina City/County Management Association winter seminar, further establishing the connection and providing students with an opportunity to engage with her. In addition, students were able to connect with other local government managers that have attended our ICMA Student Chapter events and have served as guest speakers during other semesters. 

One Student’s Journey: Taraza Tyler, MPA student, North Carolina Central University, Shares Her Experience

I participated in the mock interview and class session with Wanda Page, former city manager of Durham. It was a defining experience that bridged the gap between theory and practice in public service. The mock interview sharpened my ability to communicate with intention—translating my academic background, policy interests, and leadership strengths into a cohesive professional narrative. That preparation was key in helping me secure a competitive summer internship with the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM). Now, working with OSBM, I’m applying those same communication and strategic planning skills daily—whether I’m contributing to interagency meetings or analyzing policy data, I’m thriving in this environment and gaining a clearer understanding of state-level decision-making.

Ms. Page’s visit to class was particularly inspiring. Hearing directly from someone who had shaped policy and community outcomes at the local level revealed the complexity and rewards of municipal leadership. Her reflections on navigating decision-making and building trust within a community helped me see local government not just as a system to study, but as a space where impact is personal and immediate. That spark carried into my experience at the North Carolina City/County Management Association (NCCCMA) Winter Conference, where I had the chance to reconnect with Ms. Page and engage with other professionals across the state.

At the NCCCMA conference, I gained a deeper appreciation for the collaborative spirit that fuels effective local governance. Through panels, roundtable discussions, and informal conversations, I heard from seasoned managers about both the challenges and innovations shaping their communities. It was eye-opening to see how leadership philosophies vary across regions, and how policy implementation is often a matter of shared vision and adaptability. Being in that space helped me imagine the kind of leader I aspire to be—and confirmed that this path is not only possible but needed.

About the Authors

Evelyn Rodriguez-Plesa, Ph.D., is an incoming assistant professor of public administration at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Prior to her role at UCF, she served as an assistant professor of public administration at North Carolina Central University. 

Taraza Tyler is a second-year graduate student in the master of public administration program at North Carolina Central University, concentrating in nonprofit management.