My final rotation as a PMI was spent working for the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The writing skills I developed in the MPA program have been invaluable. Because the UNC program stresses clear, concise writing in public policy, I have been able to take complex scientific concepts and translate them into talking points, congressional testimony, press releases, and briefing materials used by decisionmakers. Also, my MPA course work prepared me to work in teams, understand the 'big picture' and appreciate the investments that must be made to become a good manager. There is simply no better place to be a grad student than Chapel Hill.
Nothing can top it.
Jenny Noonan is currently a permanent member of the Policy Analysis and Communications staff of EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. As a Congressional liaison, she prepares managers for congressional hearings, communicates policy to the public, press, and congressional staff, and translates technical or scientific information on air pollution regulations into 'plain English'.