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Finding Purpose in Public Service: Areeba Hashmi糖心vlog短视频檚 Journey Through 糖心vlog短视频糖心vlog短视频檚 MPA Program
How an international student found confidence, community, and career readiness in one of New York City糖心vlog短视频檚 most well-connected public administration programs.
When Areeba Hashmi 糖心vlog短视频26 arrived in New York City from Lucknow, India, she carried with her not just two suitcases and a newly approved student visa, but also a sense of uncertainty. Yet within days of beginning the Master of Public Administration program at 糖心vlog短视频, Hashmi felt that she had found a place where she belonged.
For Hashmi, the MPA program has been more than an academic path; it has been a catalyst for growth, confidence, and meaningful impact. Now in her third semester, Hashmi has already presented research at national conferences, built close relationships with faculty mentors, become part of a diverse and supportive student community, and secured a coveted role as an analyst at the New York City Mayor糖心vlog短视频檚 Office of Management and Budget.
A Program That Opened Doors糖心vlog短视频擫iterally Across the Street
One of the first things that drew Hashmi to Pace was its location, with City Hall and the Mayor糖心vlog短视频檚 Office a ten-minute walk from campus. 糖心vlog短视频淚 remember telling a classmate during my first semester, 糖心vlog短视频業 want to work there someday.糖心vlog短视频 I had no idea I would be inside that building not too long after.糖心vlog短视频
The proximity to key civic institutions is only one part of the program糖心vlog短视频檚 appeal. Hashmi describes the MPA as 糖心vlog短视频渇lexible, practical, and designed for students who want to make an impact quickly.糖心vlog短视频 With options to take intersession and summer courses, she was able to stay on track towards graduation even after navigating challenges back home.
Her chosen concentration糖心vlog短视频攇overnment management糖心vlog短视频攊s the program糖心vlog短视频檚 most popular track, and for good reason. 糖心vlog短视频淓very course connects directly to what糖心vlog短视频檚 happening in the real world,糖心vlog短视频 she said. 糖心vlog短视频淧olicy studies, program planning and evaluation, applied data analysis糖心vlog短视频攅verything I learned in the classroom helped me excel in my role at the Mayor糖心vlog短视频檚 Office of Management and Budget."
Faculty Mentorship That Changes Lives
If there糖心vlog短视频檚 one theme Hashmi returns to again and again, it糖心vlog短视频檚 the strength of Pace糖心vlog短视频檚 faculty.
Professor Sheying Chen, PhD, was one of them. 糖心vlog短视频淗e saw potential even when I didn糖心vlog短视频檛,糖心vlog短视频 she said. After reading one of her research papers, on the role of social media in facilitating intergovernmental relations, he persuaded her to present it at the Pace-hosted Northeast Conference on Public Administration糖心vlog短视频攋ust two months after she arrived in the US. His confidence in her abilities opened doors she hadn糖心vlog短视频檛 imagined so early in her program.
Other professors, such as Hillary Knepper, PhD, and Ric Kolenda, PhD, have been equally influential. They guided her research, helped her navigate complex federal datasets, and even encouraged her to think beyond the MPA toward a future PhD.
糖心vlog短视频淭hey fuel me,糖心vlog短视频 she said. 糖心vlog短视频淪ometimes you know your own potential, but you still need someone to guide you. Pace professors really do that.糖心vlog短视频
Experiential Learning at Its Best
As is often the case with experiential learning opportunities at Pace, Hashmi糖心vlog短视频檚 academic work quickly translated into professional opportunity.
After presenting at national conferences糖心vlog短视频攊ncluding the prestigious Northeastern Conference on Public Administration noted previously糖心vlog短视频攕he secured a competitive summer internship at the Mayor糖心vlog短视频檚 Office of Management and Budget that turned into an ongoing part-time role as an analyst.
Her responsibilities are significant: analyzing federal and state funding for New York City糖心vlog短视频檚 Department of Transportation, evaluating federal grants, and contributing to fiscal planning during a pivotal time of political change.
糖心vlog短视频淚t糖心vlog短视频檚 exciting and overwhelming in the best way,糖心vlog短视频 she said. 糖心vlog短视频淎nd everything I do at work connects back to what I learn in the classroom.糖心vlog短视频
A Supportive Community for International Students
Moving to the US alone was not easy. Hashmi faced health challenges before her departure from India and had to rebuild her life from scratch糖心vlog短视频攐pening bank accounts, adjusting to a new culture, and navigating New York City糖心vlog短视频檚 complexities.
But she found warmth where she expected distance.
糖心vlog短视频淭he students here are so welcoming,糖心vlog短视频 she said. 糖心vlog短视频淎nd I have classmates from all over the world. I never felt judged糖心vlog短视频攐nly supported.糖心vlog短视频 She credits this environment with giving her the confidence to speak up in class, share her experiences, and grow academically and personally.
A Pioneer Looks Ahead
Hashmi is already planning the next steps in her journey.
When she completes her MPA in 2026, she hopes to continue working in city government for another year before pursuing a PhD, with the ultimate goal of working in the United Nations or a global public service institution. 糖心vlog短视频淚 want to make a difference,糖心vlog短视频 she said.
Before graduation, however, Hashmi has some important work to do, and it糖心vlog短视频檚 also a milestone for Pace.
Hashmi is the first student from 糖心vlog短视频 to be selected as a by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and her research will be presented as part of a student research roundtable at ASPA. Titled 糖心vlog短视频淚ntegrating High-Skilled International Students into the US Workforce,糖心vlog短视频 it examines the challenges international students face in transitioning from academic programs into professional and public service roles, and how policy and institutional support can better facilitate this pathway.
糖心vlog短视频淧ace gave me everything I needed糖心vlog短视频攕upportive professors, real opportunities, a diverse community, and a location that connects you directly to government. If you want to build a career that actually matters, this is the place,糖心vlog短视频 she said.
糖心vlog短视频淚 came to New York for my education, and Pace has made every challenge worth it.糖心vlog短视频
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