Ambyr Braxton

What I do:
Providing the overall coordination of Public Health state initiatives and funding related to sexual assault intervention services. I also serve as the subject matter expert in policy and program planning related to sexual assault intervention and response.

How I ended up working there:
I found this position through a referral and was able to apply through the mass gov website.

The best part of my job:
Being able to support survivors using the knowledge I have of policy as well as the knowledge I have of doing direct service work in supporting survivors.

How did SPP prepare you for this role and career?
SPP helped prepare me for this role specifically in regards to classes around funding and learning best practices when trying to inform policy and/or initiatives. I gained so many skills in these two areas specifically, that without the background knowledge, I might have felt under prepared to step into this new role.

What advice would you give to students considering a degree in public policy?
Two pieces of advice that somewhat link together; keep up with current events and keep your doors open! Getting a degree in public policy can lead to so many different opportunities and sometimes that can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what interests you yet. Keep up with current events and take opportunities as they come, allow yourself to find what’s best for you in your own time.

July 2023