When a group of MPA students from the BYU Marriott School of Business went to Pittsburgh in September 2024, it was to learn more about local government at the International City/County Management Association Annual Conference. What they weren’t expecting, though, were the strong connections and inspiration they would discover—especially from BYU Marriott alumni.
David Rellaford from Springville, Utah, was only three weeks into the executive MPA (EMPA) program when he attended the conference, but he says the trip was a great way to start his MPA experience. “I was really impressed with both the alumni and the conference participants who sacrifice a lot and dedicate themselves to helping other people—I mean, there’s a reason they’re called public servants.” Plus, he says, it was a meaningful networking event.
Agreeing that networking was a highlight of the trip, EMPA student and Provo native Aileen Conder says, “Your networking is going to get you into positions and on the track you want to be on,” says Conder, who currently works in the Utah County commission office. “My day-to-day job is never going to be something that I do on my own—I’m always going to be working with groups of people on budgets or projects or problems that come in.”
Aaron Eggleston, an EMPA student from Lehi, Utah, found it interesting to hear various people’s thoughts about the challenges they face as public servants, and he was impressed with their outlook. “Despite the craziness of what we have to deal with often in our work,” Eggleston recalls hearing, “we know just how wonderful and amazing our city management jobs are.”
Students had the opportunity to take their networking beyond the conference by connecting with BYU Marriott MPA alumni at a group dinner and a testimony meeting. Eggleston says, “Perhaps the most meaningful part of the trip was sitting with the alumni and hearing their personal stories: why they did the MPA program, how they got into their careers, and what keeps them going.”
Rellaford also enjoyed learning how faith strengthens BYU Marriott MPA alumni in their professional journeys, especially when they are surrounded by people with differing values and opinions. “Hearing their experiences helped me want to be more committed,” he says.
The alumni shared insights—both spiritual and professional—that were meaningful to Eggleston, too: “The Spirit was there as they bore their testimonies about the importance of being guided in their city management work—because when you can get the local government running really well, then communities of people can thrive.”