Ongoing evolution of an MPP graduate
Master's in Public Policy graduate Jane Carpenter reflects on the way her study has enabled professional and personal evolution.
People evolve – so does a School of Government Master’s course enable professional and personal evolution?
'Yes' is the answer from Jane Carpenter, who started her Master's in Public Policy in 2008, graduated in 2012, and is now a Ministry of Health senior policy analyst leading a cross-agency working group developing national policy to minimise harm from recreational drug use.
Jane started on her learning pathway with a pilot scheme being run by the School of Government and her then employer, the Ministry of Transport.
"It was easy to say yes; I got to go on a useful course, do it for free, and do it with a cohort of others. I didn't necessarily start out with the definite thought of completing a Master's, but that initial opportunity created a pathway for me to start following."
Jane's motivations changed over time.
"I started the course quite early on in my career, so one very pragmatic driver was that I wanted to absorb and learn things that were immediately applicable to my policy work, she says.
"The mid-point of my studies coincided with a recognition that the issues government is dealing with are getting harder, that government does not hold all the answers, and that we need to look beyond one agency and beyond 'government' in responding to these issues.
"So, I started to choose courses and projects that were more cross-government, cross-agency in scope, and which paralleled how my career was evolving."
An opportunity for dedicated research and in-depth writing
Towards the end of her studies came the opportunity for dedicated research and in-depth writing.
"I loved the challenge of finding a topic, immersing myself in it, scoping within the literature and writing about it. This involved sharing quite early drafts before my ideas were really well organised, and getting feedback from someone I really respected. That whole process was really rewarding but also very challenging."
What has Jane gained from her Master's?
"Professionally, the big thing for me was learning theory while 'doing', getting that instant interplay between ‘model mode’ and practice. It enabled me to quickly switch between modes – giving me new perspectives of the policy challenge I’m grappling with."
This view is echoed by Malcolm McKee, who was Jane's manager when she was at the Ministry for the Environment and is now the Ministry’s Director, Stewardship.
"This degree demonstrates to employers that the prospective employee has an applied ability to think through difficult policy issues, can debate in an articulate way, and can use approaches across any public policy discipline."
Master's study an enabler of personal satisfaction
Jane says there have also been many personal benefits.
"I get immense personal satisfaction knowing I’m delivering the best I possibly can to my job. My Master's is an important enabler of that satisfaction.
"I also loved having the opportunity for ongoing intellectual curiosity. Doing a course that your work supports gives you permission to explore things at a level you cannot do during your everyday working life.
"You never have time to create a space for self-study in your work, but with a course like a Master's you have dedicated days when you go and learn, deadlines with consequences, and the opportunity to turn that learning into deeper thought and writing."
Jane advises anyone contemplating such a course "to just start, it's so easy to just do one paper – and then build on it".
"You can pick and mix as much or as little as you like. And you don’t have to commit to complete a Master's, it's a really easy 'band wagon' to jump on."