Megan Di Giovanni

Full Name: Megan Di Giovanni

Grad Year: ​2025

Degree/Program: ​4+1 MPA

Current Title: Legislative Aide

Current Employer: The Office of State Senator Paul R. Feeney

What is the core mission of your role, or what is a major project you are currently working on? The core mission of Senator Feeney's office is to serve our constituents to the best of our ability. Our major project right now is the World Cup, as our district includes Foxborough. However, Senator Feeney's priority legislation aims to prevent violence in workplaces, increase production of starter homes, and spur economic growth for small businesses in Massachusetts.

Could you share the story of how you found this position? Did a specific networking contact, internship, or program resource help open the door? I first began my job search by reaching out to SPP alumni. I did this through my ProSem class and through other platforms, like LinkedIn. An SPP alumn connected me with State Senator Comerford's office. I interned with Senator Comerford in the spring of 2025, where I gained valuable experience in constituent services and the legislative process. I found the position for Legislative Aide in Senator Feeney's office on MassCareers, a great platform that lists all open state government positions in Massachusetts. Senator Comerford's staff were then able to help prep me for my interview and provide a great recommendation. I began my job as Senator Feeney's Legislative Aide in June 2025.

Is there a specific skill, methodology, or lesson from your degree that you rely on to do your work successfully? I rely on so many skills from my degree on a day to day basis. In my position, I have to write memos almost daily. I use my skills from the foundational courses of the program to communicate necessary details to the Senator succinctly. Memos are almost never longer than two pages, so it is important for me to synthesize all information to a level that can be understood in a two to three minute brief. In my Public Management course with Professor Sargent, we learned the importance of structure within work places and how different actors interact with each other, from the non-profit sector, to public organizations, private organizations, or even the local communities. I was shocked to find that I apply the concepts I gained in that class often when I am communicating with different advocates, lobbyists, constituents, and even co-workers in the building.

Looking back, what was a pivotal moment, favorite class, or faculty mentorship during your time in the program that directly shaped how you approach your career today? There are so many. One pivotal moment was definitely taking the Capstone course. As a 4+1 MPP student, I wasn't required to take the capstone course, but I am so happy I did. Not only did I gain a faculty mentor, but I also was able to hone my research and writing skils to a high professional level. My project involved researching the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on Chicopee, Holyoke, and Springfield. Throughout the semester, I engaged in professional conversations with our client, the Connecticut River Conservancy, gathered insight from community members at local meetings, and applied my findings to the State as a whole The best part of this project is I am now experiencing the legislative side of this issue, as there are currently bills in the cycle that aim to mitigate the negative impacts of CSOs!

If you could give one piece of advice to a student who is on the fence about starting a graduate degree in public policy, what would it be? My graduate degree has opened many doors for me. Not only did it allow for me to earn a higher salary, I also have "hard" skills that I can apply to my career. As a Political Science undergrad, my studies were very theoretical. SPP put this theories into practice and gave me the tools to bring these practices into the professional sector. UMass SPP is a great in so many ways; there is a strong community of students and faculty who care about this work; there are courses that stretch to all different sectors of public service; the value of the degree equals the cost; and the program has deep roots in Massachusetts. If you are considering getting a public policy graduate degree, just do it!