Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Phi Alpha Alpha Event from November 19th

The semi annual Phi Alpha Alpha event held this Tuesday evening November 19th was a great success. We had three amazing speakers, Mr. Felix Martinez, MPA '13, Director of Field Operations for the City of New York Board of Correction, Mr. Charles Barkley, MPA '13, Manager of Financial Risk at the City of New York's Comptroller's Office and Professor Dan Feldman.

They gave some great insights into how they broke into their specific fields, emphasizing the importance of never giving up, working hard and making sure you have people around you that you can look up to. They talked about future opportunities and growth within their different fields. The fields of regulation, policy making and auditing are big growing fields and great fields to break into. 
They also emphasized the importance of continued education or learning. One should take any opportunity to learn, whether its from a mentor or a boss within the same company or within the same field. Going back to school for certificates and other advanced degrees are great ways of expanding ones knowledge and staying ahead in a fast growing and very competitive market.

After the panelists were done taking questions, we mingled and talked until late evening. The students that attended left with business cards and new knowledge about their fields of interests as well as a new found drive to study hard and be the best that they can be.


The AIG Conference in New Orleans, November 5-7 2013

The annual AIG conference was held in the wonderful city of New Orleans this year.
Most students from the MPA-IG Online program attended as well as several professors.
This years conference was about how to incorporate technology in solving problems as well as working together with other organizations to solve problems that arise.

The conference ran over three full days. The days started early at 7 am with a continental breakfast and the conference started right after. We got to enjoy some amazing lunches together with all the professionals that attended the conference as well.

The speakers were amazing and presented their topics with great knowledge and excitement. This year a lot of the focus was on Louisiana and the previous and ongoing corruption that has been going on for years within many of the different organizations.

On Wednesday evening the students got to take an IG to dinner and have some interesting conversations which was a great success just like last year. This is a great opportunity to network as well as ask questions about the profession itself.

On Friday the last day of the conference the students had a nice lunch together with the faculty where we discussed the future of the MPA-IG Online program and the students had the opportunity to let their voices be heard in regards to potential changes they want to see as well as new classes they would like to take.

Overall the conference was a great success and the students left feeling more motivated than ever and excited about their future potential.