Elwood Hill

What do you do in your current role?

I am an analyst at the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York (OSDC), where I work with a team that reviews New York City’s budget and policy actions. My coverage areas include education, affordable housing, and economic development.

What was your career path to OSDC?

With the assistance of the Office of Career Services, I obtained internships with a number of organizations, such as Merrill Lynch and the Citizens Budget Commission. Based on my intern experiences and my interests, I directed my career toward policy and budget research. In my final semester, I interned with OSDC and accepted a full-time position there when I graduated.

What do you enjoy about your job?

New York City! Due to its sheer size and fiscal complexity (among other factors), the City of New York is always pushing the envelope with innovative and/or controversial initiatives to provide services to its residents and to balance its budget. In my work I see a lot of creative approaches, and it makes my job exciting that New York City is always changing and I never know what to expect. Additionally, I work with a bunch of really great people.

Were there any skills you gained at Wagner that have been particularly useful?

At Wagner, I was able to fine-tune my networking skills, which are a tremendous asset in my current role. I continually rely on Wagner alumni and professors for information, insight, and guidance.

What are your future goals for your career?

My goal is simply to get better at I what do.

Can you share any advice for Wagner students/alumni interested in your field?

I would start by getting comfortable with the current issues affecting local governments. Currently, in response to significant economic pressures, state and local governments across the nation are forced to take extreme actions (e.g., laying off police officers, teachers, etc.) to close budget deficits. It is in times like this that you can really learn a lot about local government operations.

Additionally, I would tap into the network of Wagner alumni that work in the field and the professors that research the field. The Wagner network is a wealth of information!