Three Rocks & a Well-Worn Keyboard: Gaining Competencies in the NIU MPA Program

1. Three Rocks & a Well-Worn Keyboard: Gaining Competencies in the NIU MPA Program Dr. Kurt Thurmaier Professor and Director Northern Illinois University Division of Public Administration

2. Three Rocks for a Successful MPA • Theory AND Practice • Work Experience IS a Classroom • Take Time to Invest in Yourself

3. Theory AND Practice • The Portfolio Approach • Build a collection of achievements • Self-assessment at beginning and end of MPA • Competencies-based Curriculum • Collaboration is a Key Competency • Writing is a Key Competency

4. Writing in the NIU MPA Program • One of the most important value-added competencies of the MPA degree at NIU. • Still most effective form of communications • Still most highly prized competency of employers

5. Writing in the NIU MPA Program • Difficult to write for different audiences • Efficiency of writing top value of decisionmakers • Read/Write, Listen/Speak • Look at memos, professional articles (PM), scholarly journals • Mimic the styles • Just in time writing is often poor quality • Need gel time • Need proofing time

6. NIU MPA Writing Framework • Chicago Manual of Style, 2007, for all courses. In bookstores under PSPA 699 • Perfection is NOT a weakness! • Every blemish, every sloppiness, each degrades the integrity of YOUR work.

7. Multiple Types of Writing • Short Memos • Case Papers • Term Papers • Capstone Paper Follow the format guidelines in the course syllabus Good practice for grant applications. Different writing than other papers

8. Writing Resources • The MPA Website: Current Students • The NIU Writing Center • Free NIU or online citation software (such as RefWorks) for citations/bibliographies • USE THEM!

9. Work Experience IS a Classroom • A 2 Year Internship Program • Mid-career Enhancement • Our capstone program • Theory AND Practice • Systems view of problems • Recommend practical solutions • Teach the professor something • Writing is different than for most course papers

10. Take Time to Invest in Yourself • Writing Takes Time • Thinking is Hard Work…It Takes Time • Reflection Time is Essential

11. Summary • Learn how to balance practice and theory. On the job and in the classroom. Your internship or your job is not a viable learning experience without classroom learning—especially reading the assignments. • Make sure you use your internship and job experience as a classroom. Find a mentor—we can help. Reflect on how the theories you learn in the classroom can help you do a better job. • Take time for yourself. Protect thinking time. Exercise regularly to stay healthy.