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Martin School Students Get Insider's View of Capital
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 7, 2012) — Students from the University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy and Administration recently completed a trip to Washington, D.C. to get an insider's view of the hub of the public policy world.
The school organizes a similar voyage to the nation's capital each fall. The trip aims to connect, strengthen and expand the network of Martin School alumni working in policy institutions with current students.
"Everyone was grateful for the opportunity," said first-year student Nick Kilby. "The trip provided me with refined possibilities across the D.C. policy scope."
Twelve current students packed their suits and polished their professional development skills in search of internships and long-term contacts. They were met by Martin School alumni eager to assist them during their Nov. 15-16 visit.
Tim Adams, the 2012 Martin School Distinguished Alumnus and director of the Lindsay Group, a political economic consultant group based in Washington, empathized with students wanting to start careers in the nation’s capital.
"I remember what it was like to move up here from Lexington, interning and going to every networking event," Adams said. "That is how I got my first job in the first Bush administration, and it all continued from there.”
Students visited major stops including the Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office, Congressman Ben Chandler’s office, and the Capitol.
"The discussions at the Hall of the States facilitated a richer dialogue between students and alumni over the value of the Martin School skill set," said Dwight Dension, director of graduate studies, who accompanied the students on the trip.
The afternoon of Friday, Nov. 16, Adams was part of a lineup of alumni who met with students, including Kelly Woodall, veteran’s employment program manager for the Office of Personnel; Brad Tredkamp, social science research analyst at Social Security; Tammy Stathas, deputy director, Identity Management Division at the General Services Administration; Paul Joice, social science research analyst for Housing and Urban Development.
“The trip not only offered me the opportunity to extend the concepts learned in class by visiting the CBO and GAO, but it also allowed me to bond and understand the breadth of experiences and interest of my classmates," said International public policy student, Shan "Sandee" Huang.
MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu
