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Comments from Scott Huizenga, MPA Class of 2004
I can tell you that my time at KU was more than a degree program--it was an experience. That may sound clichéd, but KU really is a unique program in many aspects. I was slightly different than a "traditional" KU student. I worked as a Chamber of Commerce executive and an Economic Development Director for about three years after I finished my undergraduate work. I was in-between being a relative newcomer in the field but not quite experienced enough for the career-option degree track. I chose the intern option. I hoped that it would help me to build contacts within the field and to better prepare for urban issues with which I had some experiences but no direct practice.
In the classroom, KU covers all of the basics that you would expect with any MPA program - policy, planning, human resources, statistics, finance, budgeting, etc. But the unique aspect of KU's program is its focus on local government/city management. KU is #1 in the country because they have carved out a niche that no one can equal. The program has great relationships with many regional and national partners in local government. This gives KU students a marked "heads-up" in internship placements. With the right internship, one can both learn the proverbial ropes of city management and even develop relationships that can lead to a city management career path. Also, KU students are required to attend the ICMA conference for the two years they’re in the program. One never forgets one's first (or second) ICMA conference. You build networking contacts, you learn valuable management information and insights, and you bond with your classmates in a way that will stick with your forever.
In my opinion, most programs can teach the "hard skills" necessary for local government. But KU emphasizes the critical thinking and "soft skills" necessary to be a top public official. The program allowed me to challenge my own professional and personal beliefs. Whether or not I altered my philosophies, I learned something new through the self-reflection that was inspired by the faculty and students at KU.
Scott serves as the Project Controls Manager for the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
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