An Evening with NYC Government: Wagner Alumni working in NYC Government Share Career Insights with Current Students
On October 12th, 2023, the NYU Wagner Office of Career Services (OCS), in partnership with the NYU Wagner Office of Student and Alumni Engagement (OSAE) and the Wagner City Government Network (WCG), hosted an NYC Government Student and Alumni Networking Event, allowing Wagner students to connect with alumni currently working in New York City government. The event featured:
- Palak Kaushal (MPA-PNP 2020) - Deputy Chief of Staff, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development
- Annie Gurvis (MPA-PNP 2019) - Senior Advisor for Housing Operations at NYC’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce
- Malik Dent (MPA-PNP 2018) - Chief of Staff, Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence at NYC Office of the Mayor
- Elena Pereira (MPA-PNP, MPH 2023) - Health Legislative Analyst, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Giovanni Barcenes (MPA-PNP 2021), Senior Director of External and Government Relations, City Year New York & Commissioner for the NYC Civic Engagement Commission
Through rounds of organized discussion, students could hear from alumni about their respective careers. Alumni shared insights on their experiences in the field and how Wagner helped foster and nurture skills, such as the importance of networking and seeking internships that they have utilized throughout their professional careers.
NYU Wagner alumni share their career advice
Throughout the evening, alums provided candid responses about their experiences. Students interested in getting involved in local government learned more about the various pathways Wagner alumni took to jumpstart a NYC government career, whether through the Mayor’s Office Internship Program or other avenues. Whether it was through internships and extensive networking, Wagner students received valuable insight to follow in their footsteps.
Resources to get involved
Wagner City Government Network:
- Sign up for the Wag City Gov Newsletter.
- In early November, WCG will partner with the Latinx association to host a service day supporting families seeking asylum in NYC. This event would include an afternoon of service followed by an end-of-day social event at a local restaurant. Stay tuned!
- Follow us @wagnercitygov and @alas_wagner for more updates.
Resources for those interested in working in NYC Government:
- American Society for Public Administration
- NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
- Using Federal Work Study (FWS) at City Agencies
- City & State - New York
Career Resources for NYU Wagner Students and Alumni:
- Wagner Career Directory: Wagner’s online job database – Use it to search and apply for jobs, internships, and fellowships, and to RSVP for OCS career events.
- Career Advisement: Schedule a 30-minute appointment with an OCS advisor via the Career Directory either virtually (Zoom), by phone, or in person.
- Career Guides: Comprehensive guides for all areas of career development, including resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, salary negotiation, and more!
- Public Service Resources: A collection of job boards, professional associations, and other helpful industry resources to assist in your career exploration.
Career Resources for all NYU Students and Alumni:
NYU Handshake: The NYU Wasserman Center’s online job and event database