2017/2018 M.P.A. student internships
The internship is a very important component of the Wayne State M.P.A. degree program, providing valuable experience that can enhance future employment prospects. The purpose of the internship is to offer students an opportunity to both observe and participate in the process of program management or policy analysis. It complements the knowledge and skills acquired through coursework.
Recent internship placements have included a variety of public and nonprofit organizations in the Detroit metropolitan area and students have worked on projects ranging from grant writing to event organizing to GIS mapping. These students were able to gain valuable skills that will be useful in future public service careers. M.P.A. student Sean Wolski emphasized this by saying that the experience of interning with the City of Troy allowed him "to better understand how to make local government more transparent and responsive to the needs of citizens."
Students also increase opportunities for networking and mentorship through internships. While interning with the City of Grosse Pointe Shores, M.P.A. student Yuliya Harris found mentorship from the city manager to be invaluable by allowing her to see what it takes to best serve the residents of a community. She also shared that her internship experience has left her "invigorated to complete the M.P.A. in May 2018 and start this wonderful career!"
Here is a list of recent MPA student internship placements for the 2017/2018 academic year: