Dan Beckley

Degree program: Master of Public Policy and Administration/Master of Regional Planning dual degree, 2020

Hometown: Sunderland, Massachusetts

Where I interned: The Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security

What I did there: I helped the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to roll out the new state website, implement digital policy guidelines, and improve web content in response to constituent needs and feedback. As an intern I was embedded with another agency, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, to aid them through the transition to the new state website. 

The most important thing I learned: Technical and bureaucratic work in government can often have a significant amount of collaboration and creative workshopping occurring behind the scenes. While there was plenty of work to do on my own at a desk, there was a great deal of interpersonal work and collective brainstorming.

The most challenging part of my internship: Devising ways to work around technical issues for which a solution had not been developed. There were many aspects of the new website and the content management system that were not finalized, which required finding alternative ways to get important information to the public.

What surprised me the most: The diversity of professional backgrounds that people brought to technical services was impressive and demonstrated that you don’t necessarily need to be an expert in computer sciences to work in this field, but mostly need to passionate.

Why I’m studying public policy: I am studying public policy because the knowledge and skills that can be gained in this field provide a toolkit for positive change in the world. I hope to be able to apply what I learn in this program towards advocacy and policy development that promotes social and economic welfare in urban environments.

Future plans: I have one more year of school to complete my master’s in regional planning.