Unlock Success in Any Industry with the Skills from UIC’s Master of Public Administration Program

UIC’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is designed for professionals who aspire to make a positive impact in public service, nonprofit management, and beyond. With a strong focus on leadership, policy analysis, and data-driven decision-making, the program provides students with the flexibility to advance their careers while balancing work and personal commitments. 

For Katie Gross, the MPA program was a career turning point. With a sociology background and a passion for community service, she initially saw herself working in the nonprofit field. However, her experience at UIC opened new doors, providing her with versatile skills that ultimately led her into pharmaceutical marketing. In this spotlight, Katie shares how the program shaped her career and prepared her for success in various industries. 

Can you share your background and how your career path led you to the MPA program? 

I earned my undergraduate degree in sociology and initially believed I would be employed in the nonprofit sector. While I wasn’t certain which area to focus on, I knew I wanted to serve the community. 

After graduating, I spent two years with AmeriCorps, first as a volunteer and then as a full-time employee. I was employed in domestic violence advocacy, which was a meaningful experience but not something I saw as a sustainable long-term option for myself. I then returned to Chicago to reassess my career path and explore other options. 

I decided on UIC’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program because I wanted to focus on public health from an administrative perspective. I had also considered UIC’s public health program. However, the online MPA program was more appealing to me because it offered a broader, more administrative focus compared to a health-specific approach. 

Today, I work in the field of pharmaceutical marketing in Chicago, focusing on contracting for a company specializing in fertility medications. While it’s a different setting than my early nonprofit work, my interest in addressing public health challenges at a macro level remains a driving force in my career. 

What skills from the online Master of Public Administration program have been most valuable in your career? 

One of the most valuable skills I gained through the online MPA program was teamwork and learning how to collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Last summer, I completed a graduate assistantship at UIC, where I worked with a group of students, many from the engineering school, on a health equity research project. We traveled across the state to interview people and study rural access to non-emergency medical transportation. The online MPA program led me to this opportunity, and the research we conducted became a foundation for many of my assignments throughout the program. It was a unique experience that allowed me to apply what I was learning in real-time, and I still stayed in touch with some of the people I met through that project. 

The program also strengthened my skills in data analysis and policy evaluation. I worked with R and data visualization tools in the program, and now I’m learning Tableau at work. The academic approach to data was more rigorous, focusing on precision and statistical accuracy. While in my job, the focus is often on quick insights and clear takeaways. Having that strong analytical foundation from the program has given me an edge, allowing me to present data and truly understand its story. 

How did the online MPA program’s projects and assignments prepare you for real-world challenges?  

One of the most valuable projects I worked on was in PA 431: Civic Technology, where we had to design a digital solution for a civic issue. For my project, I designed an app that could facilitate non-emergency medical transportation through health insurance, inspired by my summer research on rural healthcare access. While we didn’t fully develop an app, we storyboarded the concept and its functionality. 

This project allowed me to dig deeper into the barriers preventing people from accessing healthcare. I conducted data analysis to identify key challenges and designed the app to be as accessible as possible. It would require minimal internet connection and compatibility with basic smartphones. The course was focused on using technology to address civic issues and was structured to mirror real-world job tasks, which I found extremely valuable. 

Even though I currently work in the private sector rather than public administration, the skills I gained, such as problem-solving, data analysis, and user-focused design, still apply. Working in pharmaceutical marketing now, I even find myself using design tools like Canva, which reinforces how much crossover there is between different industries. The program helped me build a diverse skill set that I continue to use in unexpected ways. 

Another standout experience was putting together a complete project management plan. It was structured so that we tackled a part of each week, and by the end of the course, we had a completed plan. That was valuable and something I could proudly add to my portfolio. Looking back, some of those projects were tough at the moment, but now I’m proud of what I accomplished. 

How has your MPA opened new career opportunities for you? 

During my job interview, my MPA degree became a talking point. One of the people interviewing me had attended UIC, so we connected over that. Even though I’m in the private sector now, my degree hasn’t gone unnoticed. My employer has reviewed my coursework and sees the value in the skills I’ve developed. While I’m still new in my role, they’ve mentioned that having a master’s degree will be a factor in future growth opportunities. 

While my career path has taken a different turn from my original expectations, my degree has given me a strong foundation and opened doors I hadn’t considered. Even though I’m not working in public administration, I’m still contributing to a critical public issue: making medicine more accessible. 

Advice for Prospective Students Considering UIC’s Online MPA Program 

My favorite part of the master’s in public administration program was the people. I had the chance to connect with people from different backgrounds, and that really enhanced my experience. I advise getting involved wherever you can, whether in person or online. Even with remote opportunities like the Grant Administration and Evaluation work I did, I could still connect with people and keep in touch with some of them today. If you can get involved in in-person events or activities, especially if you’re local, that’s even better. 

You can gain so much from these experiences. Not only will you learn things that are directly applicable to your job, but you’ll also make lasting friendships. If I hadn’t branched out beyond just the schoolwork, I would have missed out on valuable opportunities that enriched my entire experience.