In late May the Bloustein School and Kean University chapters of Pi Alpha Alpha, the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs & Administration, hosted a virtual panel titled, Job Searching in Public Administration during COVID-19. Four panelists working in public administration and public policy discussed the impact of COVID-19 on these fields and their work.
COVID-19 has forced the public sector to adapt, with state and local governments re-evaluating their current capacities and planning for reduced revenues in the coming fiscal year. The resulting shifts in work and hiring in the public sector may last beyond COVID-19 and are impacting how people look for and think about work.
The panelists spoke on a range of topics including how the current global pandemic has and could impact public sector hiring, as well as tips for finding job opportunities, networking, and informational interviewing.
Panelists included Noah Glyn MPP ’14, Budget Analyst, NJ Office of Management and Budget; Nadine James (Kean, MPA ’18), Mayor’s Aide, Union Township; Holly Low MPP ’18, Manager of Strategic Outreach, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and Caroline Milliken MPP ’18, PMF/Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
This is the first in a series of collaborations between the Bloustein and Kean University chapters. The executive boards look forward to fostering this relationship that will lead to more creative programming and increased networking in order to advance the field of public administration in New Jersey.