Michael Hamel

Title: Chief Information Officer

Employer: City of Worcester, MA

Degree & graduation year: Master of Public Policy and Administration, 2007

What I do: Deliver great service to the City of Worcester through the use of technology.

How I ended up working there: The City of Worcester retained CIO Partners to perform a broad search for their next CIO. The engagement began with CIO Partner’s recruiter.

The best part of my job: There is never a dull moment and always an opportunity to make an impact.

A recent exciting work experience: We have been working to build out the new Worcester 311 program, providing residents new avenues to engage with their government, including mobile app, SMS, chatbot, Facebook, and WhatsApp integration.

How the School of Public Policy prepared me for my career: SPP played a significant role in helping to define my career path. Working with the National Center for Digital Government, and having great mentors at SPP, set me up for a fellowship with the City of Boston and a career in government technology. My time at SPP helped to define the way I think, helped me to differentiate symptoms from problems and helped me develop the ability to effectively lay out alternatives. Being able to concisely describe the problem, and ways to solve it, have made all the difference in effectively working with leadership and being given opportunities to make a difference.

Advice to students considering a degree in public policy: The skills you learn at SPP are incredibly helpful for a career in the public sector, but can also be applied in nearly any industry. A career in public service can be incredibly rewarding and there is always demand for ambitious and passionate individuals.

Future plans: I hope to continue seeking opportunities where I can make an impact, and plan to stay engaged with maker communities.

Posted April 2023