Rock Your Career: Katy Clayton, MPA ’21

What was one of the most meaningful experiences you had during your time in the MPA program? 

My PAD 643: Economics of Government Programs course with Dr. Lucy Sorensen was one of the most impactful experiences I had throughout the MPA program because it exposed me to program evaluation and the process of synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data in order to understand the implications of different public policy decisions. Dr. Sorensen created really thoughtful projects for us to work through in teams, and it changed my thinking about policy formulation and how leaders can assess the impacts and effectiveness of different programs. Prior to that course, I thought I might concentrate in nonprofit management, but my experience engaging with that content and discussing our proposals in class made me realize that I wanted to shift my focus. I ended up changing my concentration, choosing different fall courses, participating in summer policy research, and now ultimately working full time as an evaluation analyst in part because of PAD 643. So, thanks, Dr. Sorensen!

Where did you complete your internship requirement and what knowledge, skills, and abilities did you develop as a result of this experience? 

I received an internship waiver because I had six years of teaching experience prior to enrolling at Rockefeller, but the waiver allowed me to work as a graduate research assistant at the Rockefeller Institute of Government (and complete my MPA in 18 months). At RIG, I gained a lot of valuable research experience and was mentored by a leader in education policy studies who helped connect me with the charter school sector in the Capital Region.

What specific skills or experiences through the program have prepared you for your transition to post-graduate employment?

The quantitative experience I developed over the course of the program — data modeling and analysis, statistical software skills, and foundational economics knowledge — all made me more competitive and more confident as an applicant post-MPA. I have always been someone who enjoys writing, but my coursework helped me hone my written products to be more clear, succinct, and focused, which has been invaluable, both for my communication skills and for my ability to produce quality reports on a tight deadline. 

Where are you currently employed and what is the focus of your position? 

I graduated in December with an offer from the SUNY Research Foundation. I have been working as a school evaluation analyst with the SUNY Charter Schools Institute since January, where my primary responsibility is to conduct visits to charter schools around the state and then write up evaluative reports of their performance over the course of the charter term. As part of the academic team, I review the effectiveness of the academic program and school leadership, while other teams at the Institute assess the legal, fiscal, and operational strength of the charter organization in order to make renewal recommendations to the SUNY Board of Trustees. 

What advice do you have for students who are considering employment in the public sector and pursuing an MPA degree?

The skills you learn throughout the Rockefeller MPA curriculum are incredibly versatile and relevant in whatever field you pursue, but the knowledge you'll gain about the history and goals of public administration can really change the way you think about our society and your role in it. If you're curious, reach out to alumni and professors — everyone is willing to share their insights and experience, and there is an incredible community to tap into as you figure out your path for your future.