| by Dion Miller
Maia Stewart, a class of 2023 joint MPA/IEM student. Learn about how Maia’s interests and values helped her find her position, how MIIS prepared her for a management role, and how impactful her program was for the people it served.
Tell us about yourself and where you are doing your practicum?
I am in the second year of the MPA/IEM program. I’m currently based in North Carolina. Over the summer, I was an assistant program director at Team4Tech. I led a team of three undergraduate students. We created an information and technology training manual for teachers at the Centre for Youth and Development in Malawi. I assisted in leading a team of about fifteen undergraduate students in other projects.
How did you secure your position?
Honestly, it was through Carolyn Meyer. At the time, I was looking for something to do over the summer and she informed me of the opportunity to work with Team4Tech. The responsibilities aligned with my values and interests.
I had just finished taking Design and Assessment with Dr. Daniel Chatham and in that class, we learned how to adapt to changes in a project’s scope.
What does your position entail?
I would say that the biggest skill I utilized would be project management. Going into the position, I knew that I would have to keep track of workstreams, facilitate meetings and lead my own team. However, the scope of the ICT training manual broadened within the first two weeks of the project. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I had just finished taking Design and Assessment with Dr. Daniel Chatham and in that class, we learned how to adapt to changes in a project’s scope.
A project from a class that helped me in the position was creating a professional philosophy. In Paige Butler’s Education Abroad Management class, we had to create a professional philosophy that aligned with our values and aspirations. This was helpful when working with the interns and giving them space to figure out what needed to be done for the project.
Learning how to work around that was challenging, but rewarding. I learned a lot about how to lead and be there for my team.
What has been an unexpected challenge you have faced in your practicum?
Some of the interns had personal things come up and at one point one of the interns on my team had to stop working on the project. Learning how to work around that was challenging, but rewarding. I learned a lot about how to lead and be there for my team.
Do you have any advice for current and future students in your program?
Sometimes, it feels like we might not use what we are learning in class when we start working, especially in classes that are based on theory. However, learning theory and practical skills are very important. Also, I would say be open to opportunities that might be outside of your field. I went into the position to learn and I learned a lot from my experiences at Team4Tech and from the people who work there.
| by Dion Miller
Julia Benson, a Conference Interpretation student, connected remotely to her internship with UNESCO. Julia interned during summer 2021 and followed in the footsteps of MIIS alumnae Heather Soltis MATI ’18, after discussing Heather’s experience with UNESCO.
| by Dion Miller
Shelley Chen (on the right) worked with International Rescue Committee, IRC, in 2018 and two new participants have chosen to work with IRC this semester.
| by Dion Miller
MPA student and returned Peace Corps volunteer, Seth Anderson, shares his practicum experience working for HandsOn Twin Cities (focusing on connecting nonprofits, volunteers, and companies) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
