Chapter 5:

Beyond Your MPA Internship or Externship: Career Support for Brooks School Students

When it comes to your career management, the support for our MPA students isn’t limited to your internship or externship experience. The Career Management team is here to support all of your professional development needs. In this chapter, we’ll highlight some of the resources you’ll have access to.

CORNELL’S CAREER MANAGEMENT RESOURCES

As a student in our MPA program, you’ll be equipped with the tools you need to begin your career in public affairs or public administration. We offer the following resources: 

Networking:

Building a wide network is the best way to land your dream job. The MPA program  hosts career networking events in Washington, D.C., and New York City for positions in the private, public, nonprofit NGO, and international development sectors. We also maintain an official LinkedIn site for current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the program.

Professional Development:

Cornell MPA students are required to take two semester-long courses (or equivalent) that focus on strengthening professional preparation, which may include statistical, analytical, or mathematical skills, professional writing or speaking, leadership or management, or additional skills or knowledge needed for a particular concentration.

Resume Building:

The team is here to help take your resume from good to great and assist you in tailoring different versions of it to the specific jobs you are seeking. Then, we collect one of your resumes, which conforms to a template based on best practices, and present it on your behalf to employers looking for your skills.

Career Planning:

You provide the Career Management team with the information necessary to develop your career plan. We use a variety of instruments to accomplish this, including a self-assessment and career exploration guide, a first-year career interest survey, a second-year individual development plan, and a top-five strengths test. Cornell Career Services may also be a resource you want to explore additional career assistance opportunities.

Start Your Brooks School Master of Public Administration Journey

It’s time. That is, it’s time to take your first step toward a career that you’ll love — and where you can make a difference.

At the Brooks School, we’re looking for students who have the analytical, leadership, and communication skills necessary to succeed in a career serving the public in government, nonprofit, or for-profit sectors. If this sounds like you, let’s begin your MPA journey. Connect with us today! 

Cornell University
Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
2201 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-2602
(607) 255-8018
mpa@cornell.edu

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