Opportunities for Public Administration in a Global World

1. 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 evanmberman@gmail.com

2. This Presentation An Introduction Opportunities in a Global World How Students Can Get International in PA Promoting Yourself in a Global World

3. 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

4. ASPA’s Book Series in Public Administration and Public Policy

5. 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!

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. The Professional Commitment Statement (PCS) Exercise Example: … more… • Step 1: Putting it down on paper…

10. The PCS Exercise

11. Step 2: Improve Your Resume

12. Step 2: Improve Your Resume

13. Step 3: Interviewing Interview 1Tommy SmithAssociate DirectorOffice of Budget and PlanningI 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.

14. 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.”

15. 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.”

16. 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?"

17. 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.