My previous experiences and education prepared me well for working in nonprofit and public management and I feel that the Master’s in Policy, Planning, and Management has complemented the varied experiences that I have had. Throughout my career, I have developed a passion for working with field stations, yet often they have unique challenges both programmatically and financially. Commonly they combine collegiate programming, research, land and resource management, environmental education, community stewardship, public outreach, and K-12 programming while losing track of their mission and stakeholders. Due to the academic nature of most field stations, and their tendency to extend focus beyond that primary mission, leaders don’t always have the policy and management experience to adequately focus on development, fundraising, education, community outreach, organizational leadership, and strategic planning that is needed within such multifaceted organizations. 

The MPPM program has excelled my skill-building in many aspects required of those leading a small organization, I believe that these skills will allow me to continue to grow my professional career with a field station or other nature-based organization.

Though I am not sure exactly what is next for my career or in my educational path, I am sure that the knowledge, skills, and abilities that I honed during my time in Muskie School will complement my future endeavors whether that next step is being the leader of a small nature-based organization or possibly seeking a Ph.D.