Another Amazing MPA Graduate: Alder Phillips, MPA 2006
Alder Phillips, MPA 2006 with a specialization in Global Leadership and Management/Sustainable Development, updated the MPA community on what she has been doing since she was last profiled about a year and a half ago.
Alder is currently a Foreign Service Officer (Program/Project Development Officer) with USAID, soon to be posted to Nepal. Prior to joining USAID she was a Fulbright grantee in Oaxaca, Mexico from 2006-2009 where she completed a Ph.D. in Regional Development and Microfinance. Alder graduated from the MPA program at PSU in June 2006.
Many thanks to Alder for allowing the Global Collaborative Network to interview her once again.
How has the MPA program affected the course of your career?
During my time in the MPA program I became very interested in “internationalizing” my experience at PSU and was able to take classes in economics and development to supplement the required core courses in the program. I also took advantage of participating in the short-term study abroad program to Oaxaca, Mexico with Dr. Jack Corbett, and as a part of my GRA in the PA department I worked with Dr. Ingle to formulate the framework for the short-term study abroad program to Vietnam. All of these experiences helped bring together theory and practice and provide a solid framework from which to move forward. Upon completing my MPA I received a Fulbright grant to complete a Ph.D. in Regional Development in Oaxaca, Mexico. I spent three amazing years focusing on the social impacts of microfinance as I conducted field research, analyzed data and wrote up my findings. Being able to take my experiences from the MPA program and then use the skills I had learned in the field as I designed my interview tools and research methodology was incredible.
Towards the end of my Fulbright I realized that I wanted to stay focused on international development but wanted to move into the policy side and be a part of the discussions on how development is done and how we measure our own successes and failures, as well as evaluate program impacts. I was drawn to USAID as a means to get the big picture perspective on development. As a native Oregonian I felt strongly that I needed to understand the scope from which development is carried out to see how locally based community projects fit into the bigger picture. I defended my doctoral dissertation in June 2009, joined the Foreign Service with USAID as a Program/Project Development Officer in July of 2009, and will be posted to Nepal beginning in February of 2010. Thus far I can say that this experience has been incredibly eye opening in the sense of being at the heart of policy- being so intimately engaged with White House Initiatives, Congressional budgets and global approaches to cutting-edge development issues has been both enlightening and challenging. Working for the Federal Government has also been eye opening, and a very different experience from the many small NGOs I’ve worked for over the years.
What are your responsibilities at USAID?
Since beginning with USAID in July I’ve been deepening my knowledge of the Agency and the way USAID does development, in doing so I have done rotations in a variety of areas and completed many trainings. A single job description would be difficult, but in general Program Officer’s are responsible for project design, program monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, reporting back to Washington, budgeting and helping to formulate and carryout the overall vision of a USAID Mission overseas (in conjunction with the rest of the front office staff).
Do you have a personal goal for working at USAID in this capacity? What would you like to accomplish?
I’m primarily interested in deepening my knowledge of how development is carried out on a larger scale, being a part of building relationships with host country partners and learning from other bi-lateral donor agencies. I see it as an opportunity to reinvigorate an Agency that is going through great transformations, but also as a way to expand my own framework for development, learn from well-seasoned experts in the field and continue to experience new and amazing people and places.
Did you participate in an international PA 509 organizational experience project or have international experience before starting the MPA program?
I officially fulfilled my PA 509 requirement by working with the Oregon Department of Economic and Community Development in the International Trade Division for the State of Oregon. My work there consisted of working on a “green products/services guide” for sustainable goods manufactured in the State of Oregon to be marketed overseas to interested governments and private corporations.
My unofficial PA 509 was with Mercy Corps, where I was contracted to help build a site for microfinance resources, as well as put together a proposal to engage local youth in development and microfinance in an interactive and dynamic environment. My hope in participating in these two different “experiences” was to meld my interests in international development with building my knowledge of the public sector and deepening my familiarity with microfinance. Admittedly, my passion for international travel and sustainable development began far before the MPA program, but my experiences at PSU definitely solidified my interest in pursuing international development as a career.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five to ten years?
I imagine I’ll continue in the Foreign Service, either as a Program/Project Development Officer, or perhaps move into a more technical position/office within the Mission. I hope to return to Latin America at some point, as I have a deeply rooted love for the region, but for now I look forward to new experiences on the other side of the world. I do know that I’ll be involved with community-based development projects that prioritize local sustainability and the continued quest for a balance between the local and global elements that are so intensely linked…a lifelong passion that will materialize in one form or another.
What else would you like to share with current MPA students?
Lastly, I would add that the MPA program at PSU is excellent and allows its students to take advantage of outstanding resources in terms of courses and professors, but also allows some amount of flexibility to build individual interests into the program. As someone who holds a long-standing passion for international policy and development, I found the program to be a good balance of theory and practice. It also provided for an excellent environment to share and learn from colleagues with extensive non-profit, public and private sector experience- this intersection of people and backgrounds added real value to the program!
Alder is currently a Foreign Service Officer (Program/Project Development Officer) with USAID, soon to be posted to Nepal. Prior to joining USAID she was a Fulbright grantee in Oaxaca, Mexico from 2006-2009 where she completed a Ph.D. in Regional Development and Microfinance. Alder graduated from the MPA program at PSU in June 2006.
Many thanks to Alder for allowing the Global Collaborative Network to interview her once again.
How has the MPA program affected the course of your career?
During my time in the MPA program I became very interested in “internationalizing” my experience at PSU and was able to take classes in economics and development to supplement the required core courses in the program. I also took advantage of participating in the short-term study abroad program to Oaxaca, Mexico with Dr. Jack Corbett, and as a part of my GRA in the PA department I worked with Dr. Ingle to formulate the framework for the short-term study abroad program to Vietnam. All of these experiences helped bring together theory and practice and provide a solid framework from which to move forward. Upon completing my MPA I received a Fulbright grant to complete a Ph.D. in Regional Development in Oaxaca, Mexico. I spent three amazing years focusing on the social impacts of microfinance as I conducted field research, analyzed data and wrote up my findings. Being able to take my experiences from the MPA program and then use the skills I had learned in the field as I designed my interview tools and research methodology was incredible.
Towards the end of my Fulbright I realized that I wanted to stay focused on international development but wanted to move into the policy side and be a part of the discussions on how development is done and how we measure our own successes and failures, as well as evaluate program impacts. I was drawn to USAID as a means to get the big picture perspective on development. As a native Oregonian I felt strongly that I needed to understand the scope from which development is carried out to see how locally based community projects fit into the bigger picture. I defended my doctoral dissertation in June 2009, joined the Foreign Service with USAID as a Program/Project Development Officer in July of 2009, and will be posted to Nepal beginning in February of 2010. Thus far I can say that this experience has been incredibly eye opening in the sense of being at the heart of policy- being so intimately engaged with White House Initiatives, Congressional budgets and global approaches to cutting-edge development issues has been both enlightening and challenging. Working for the Federal Government has also been eye opening, and a very different experience from the many small NGOs I’ve worked for over the years.
What are your responsibilities at USAID?
Since beginning with USAID in July I’ve been deepening my knowledge of the Agency and the way USAID does development, in doing so I have done rotations in a variety of areas and completed many trainings. A single job description would be difficult, but in general Program Officer’s are responsible for project design, program monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, reporting back to Washington, budgeting and helping to formulate and carryout the overall vision of a USAID Mission overseas (in conjunction with the rest of the front office staff).
Do you have a personal goal for working at USAID in this capacity? What would you like to accomplish?
I’m primarily interested in deepening my knowledge of how development is carried out on a larger scale, being a part of building relationships with host country partners and learning from other bi-lateral donor agencies. I see it as an opportunity to reinvigorate an Agency that is going through great transformations, but also as a way to expand my own framework for development, learn from well-seasoned experts in the field and continue to experience new and amazing people and places.
Did you participate in an international PA 509 organizational experience project or have international experience before starting the MPA program?
I officially fulfilled my PA 509 requirement by working with the Oregon Department of Economic and Community Development in the International Trade Division for the State of Oregon. My work there consisted of working on a “green products/services guide” for sustainable goods manufactured in the State of Oregon to be marketed overseas to interested governments and private corporations.
My unofficial PA 509 was with Mercy Corps, where I was contracted to help build a site for microfinance resources, as well as put together a proposal to engage local youth in development and microfinance in an interactive and dynamic environment. My hope in participating in these two different “experiences” was to meld my interests in international development with building my knowledge of the public sector and deepening my familiarity with microfinance. Admittedly, my passion for international travel and sustainable development began far before the MPA program, but my experiences at PSU definitely solidified my interest in pursuing international development as a career.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five to ten years?
I imagine I’ll continue in the Foreign Service, either as a Program/Project Development Officer, or perhaps move into a more technical position/office within the Mission. I hope to return to Latin America at some point, as I have a deeply rooted love for the region, but for now I look forward to new experiences on the other side of the world. I do know that I’ll be involved with community-based development projects that prioritize local sustainability and the continued quest for a balance between the local and global elements that are so intensely linked…a lifelong passion that will materialize in one form or another.
What else would you like to share with current MPA students?
Lastly, I would add that the MPA program at PSU is excellent and allows its students to take advantage of outstanding resources in terms of courses and professors, but also allows some amount of flexibility to build individual interests into the program. As someone who holds a long-standing passion for international policy and development, I found the program to be a good balance of theory and practice. It also provided for an excellent environment to share and learn from colleagues with extensive non-profit, public and private sector experience- this intersection of people and backgrounds added real value to the program!
Labels: alumni
posted by Kim at
11:01 AM
<< Home