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Public Administration

Occupational Possibilities

The undergraduate program in Public Administration is designed to provide graduates with knowledge and skills to plan, implement, and evaluate public programs. Graduates of the program will be able to work in settings such as communities across the state and region, nonprofit organizations that work in partnership with government and business, and in business organizations working with the public sector and dealing the challenges of local and global diversity.

Students already employed in the public sector will be prepared to bring new skills and competencies to their work, improve the quality of government service provision, and improve the relationship between government, citizens, and the business sector. As students learn to think critically and analytically about public policy they will better understand the dynamics in their own communities and how to be more effective citizens and public officials.

State, Local, & National Government

  • City manager
  • Government treasury officer
  • Senior health planner
  • Public personnel specialist
  • Election officer
  • Political geographer
  • Intelligence specialist
  • Foreign service officer
  • Public works director
  • Economic development administration
  • Commissioner public worker
  • Civil preparedness officer
  • Intergovernmental relations officer
  • Law enforcement officer
  • Job developer



Public Parties, Civic Groups & Law

  • Public opinion pollster
  • Survey research consultant
  • Congressional aide
  • Senatorial staff member
  • Media elections analyst
  • Assistant to party committees
  • Campaign consultant
  • Legislative analyst
  • Para legal research assistant
  • Assistant public defender
  • Court administrator
  • Counciliator
  • Abstractor
  • Arbitrator
  • Welfare specialist
  • Legal investigator
  • Parole officer
  • Corrections officer
  • Probation officer

 

Education/General

  • Teacher
  • Admissions officer
  • Adult vocational counselor
  • Research assistant
  • Administrative assistant
  • Reporter
  • Administrative assistant
  • Research assistant
  • Economic development planner
  • News analyst/editor

Business/Industry

  • Risk management director
  • Research and evaluation analyst
  • Account manager
  • Employment interviewer
  • Economic risks analyst
  • Program manager
  • Quality control specialist
  • Director, industrial relations
  • Research analyst
  • Public affairs officer
  • Association executive
  • Organizational behavior specialist
  • Loan officer
  • Financial adviser
  • Underwriter
  • Fund-raising specialist
  • Sales representative/executive
  • Claims examiner
  • Customer service representative

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Skills and Abilities

 

Analytical

  • Grasping of complex laws or case
    histories
  • Isolating the specific from the
    general
  • Translating theory into action
  • Planning and administering programs
  • Reviewing/evaluating projects or ideas

 

Quantitative

  • Analyzing data
  • Budgeting
  • Developing research designs
  • Programming computers and analyzing systems
  • Collecting and organizing data
  • Knowledge of survey research methods
  • Computer/statistical skills


Communication

  • Effective/persuasive speaking
  • Writing reports/articles
  • Explaining data analysis
  • Simplifying complex data
  • Editing/proofreading materials
  • Maintaining records/tabulating data
  • Interviewing
  • Informing/explaining ideas
  • Comparing/compiling research reports
  • Describing and evaluating issues/problems/events




Organizing

  • Organizing ideas/materials/objects
  • Organizing and carrying out projects
  • Making decisions on the basis of personal judgment and experience
  • Providing encouragement and support to others
  • Managing and supervising people and projects
  • Inspiring trust and confidence
  • Keeping track of multiple responsibilities at once
  • Dealing with people under stress

Career Planning and Resources

Internships

Job Search

Professional Associations

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Links to websites for more information

For More Information

...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:

University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624

For more information about the public administration major at the KU Edwards Campus:

The Public Administration Department Homepage

The KU Edwards Campus Homepage

Dr. John Nalbandian
Professor & Chair
nalband@ku.edu
785-864-9096

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