Current UNC MPA student Jackson Dille dives strengthens fiscal health for the Town of Apex (2024)

FAQ
Apply Now

Request Info

Admissions
- - We are seeking individuals who have a passion for public service & the desire to be a leader. UNC MPA is committed to preparing leaders who are confident decision-makers & resource managers.Admissions
  - - How to ApplyWe encourage applications from anyone passionate about public service leadership.
    - EventsSee upcoming admissions events to learn about the UNC MPA program.
Academics
- - UNC MPA is committed to preparing leaders who are confident decision-makers & resource managers. A rigorous curriculum & engaging experiences give students the orientation they need to make a real impact on their communities.Academics
  - - Why an MPA?Learn why many of today’s leaders have chosen the versatility of an MPA degree.
    - Dual DegreesGet the best of two concentrations, so your options remain as broad as your knowledge.
    - Degree RequirementsSee what’s needed before taking the next steps towards our MPA program.
    - ConcentrationsCustomize your program to focus your journey on your destination.
Careers
- - Whether new to public administration, changing careers, or looking to advance in a current role, our students know that an MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill can lead to expanded opportunities for a satisfying career in public service.Careers
  - - Hire UNC MPASee the benefits of hiring a UNC MPA graduate for your organization.
Alumni
- - Our alumni community is composed of accomplished public service leaders who remain active with their alma mater. Our alumni network extends to every corner of North Carolina, all 50 states, & 13 countries outside the US. Meet Our Alumni
  - - Meet Our AlumniMeet our community of distinguished leaders — more than 1,500 active alumni.
    - Ways to EngageOur alumni community is one of the key strengths of our program
    - Alumni DirectorySee our alumni and read about their paths from MPA to successful careers.
    - Our SupportersWe thank our friends, alumni, and community partners who give to the program.
    - Impact NewsletterExplore our current issue and past issues of our bi-annual newsletter featuring alumni, faculty, and program highlights.
About
- - The UNC MPA program offers a nationally-ranked leadership degree for full-time or part-time students. Our graduates are public service leaders who transform the communities where they work & live.About Us
  - - Our FacultyMeet our renowned experts in a wide array of public sector fields.

Admissions
- How to Apply
- On-Campus or Online
- Events
- FAQ
Academics
- Why an MPA?
- Dual Degrees
- Degree Requirements
- Student Life
- Courses
- Professional Work Experience
- Concentrations
Careers
- Career Services
- Outcomes
- Hire UNC MPA
Alumni
- Meet Our Alumni
- Ways to Engage
- Support
- Alumni Directory
- Our Supporters
- Impact Newsletter
About
- Our Faculty
- Our Students
- Our Alumni
- Location
- MPA Matters Student Blog
- Faculty Directory

Apply Now
Request Info

Professional Work Experience (PWE)

View All PWE Posts

Authors

UNC MPA
Cara Robinson

June 24, 2024

Professional Work Experience (PWE)
Local Government
Students

Save / Print

Written by UNC MPA

When friends ask me why I got into urban planning, my response normally includes a love for cities, a desire to tackle pressing issues through land use policy, and an attempt to avoid having to do too much math. So, what am I doing as an analyst in a town budget office? This is a question that I myself would have likely been stumped by just a few months ago.

After graduating with a bachelor’s in urban planning, I decided to pursue a dual master’s degree in urban planning and public administration. Working in a municipality and working on land use policy both involve coordination with many different entities. However, these entities too often get siloed in their own spheres without fully understanding the work of those they are coordinating with. As an effort to broaden my understanding of the work of different municipal departments and the financial decisions underpinning this work, I decided to pursue a Professional Work Experience in a budget office. When the town of Apex offered me a good position early in the PWE selection process, I knew it was exactly what I wanted for this stage of my professional development.

Current UNC MPA student Jackson Dille dives strengthens fiscal health for the Town of Apex (2)

So far, my time in Apex’s budget office has been everything I hoped it would be. I began working in Apex in March, right as the budget for the next fiscal year was being drafted. Some unexpected absences in the office meant that I was quickly diving into various spreadsheets to track itemized spending for the fiscal year and highlight significant expenses for council reports. I’ve also been designated as the budget analyst for Apex’s Finance and Communications departments. These experiences have sharpened my Excel skills and emphasized the centrality of communication in budget work.
Apex’s budget office is a welcoming and supportive work environment. My coworkers here are happy to answer questions and support me and fellow UNC MPA intern Chris Bouzane in having a productive, hands-on Professional Work Experience. As I become more comfortable in this role and the proposed budget gets adopted, I hope to initiate a project that will combine my interests by exploring the impacts different land use patterns might have on Apex’s fiscal health. I am excited for the rest of the summer and hope I can take full advantage of it, as it is already passing by quickly!