School of Public Policy students explore policy careers in Washington

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than 40 Penn State students traveled to Washington, D.C., on March 19 and 20 to participate in the School of Public Policy's 2026 Career Exploration Day, a two-day immersive experience designed to connect students with policy professionals and alumni working in the nation's capital.

For the first time, the annual trip expanded from one day to two, allowing students to participate in site visits at the Atlantic Council and the World Bank, both potential future employers for students pursuing policy careers. The extended trip provided deeper engagement with professionals and organizations at the forefront of domestic and international policy work.

This year’s trip, sponsored by the School of Public Policy and Pi Alpha Alpha, the honor society for public administration, public policy, and public affairs, brought together graduate and undergraduate students, including Master of Public Policy (MPP) program students, undergraduates from the Next Gen Leadership Academy, members of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, and members of the Public Policy Association.

The first day's programming took place at the law firm BakerHostetler, hosted by University alumnus Ed Beckwith, Penn State class of 1971 in science. The event began with students engaged in a hands-on briefing exercise led by Olivia Umoren Ezeuko, director of health and aging at USAging and founder of LIV Consulting & Career Services. A Penn State alumna who recently joined the School of Public Policy's Board of Visitors, Ezeuko tasked students with developing and presenting policy briefs on real-world issues, mirroring the work policy professionals do daily.

During the briefing exercise, students worked in groups to analyze different policy scenarios and deliver five-minute briefings, complete with background research and policy recommendations. The exercise provided students with practical experience in the kind of high-stakes communication required in government and policy organizations.

“The SPP students are exceptional,” said Umoren Ezeuko. “I was so impressed to see how many of them had grown professionally with more confidence in just one year. They approached a leadership exercise, designed to be challenging, with poise, critical thinking, and effective collaboration. Penn State is setting the standard for how to prepare students to excel as the next generation of policy leaders.”

The afternoon featured rotating speed-networking sessions in which students met one-on-one with more than 20 Penn State alumni representing federal agencies, think tanks, consulting firms and policy organizations. MPP alumni participating in the networking sessions included Max Brown Theuer, Christian Manalac, Patrick Kridaratikorn, Payton Deeney, Teresa Ousey, Quinn Giambalvo, Rachel Yeung, Pete Kurtz-Glovas, Kenneth Gatten, Max Wittenberg, Katie Gilligan, Nyla Holland, ShiAnne Mac, Rebecca Labelle and many others who shared insights about their career journeys after graduating from Penn State.

Additional University alumni included Jaz Azari, Anthony Nisivoccia, KerriLaine Prunella, Lyle Beckwith and Michael Pagano. The sessions, held in multiple conference rooms at BakerHostetler, allowed for personalized conversations about career paths, professional development and opportunities in the policy sphere.

For many students, the experience helped to provide clarity about their future career paths. Kylie Hickoff, a first-generation college student planning to pursue an MPP after completing her undergraduate degree, found the trip particularly impactful.

“Speaking with Penn State alumni not only in the field I wish to work in, but also in the city I wish to work in was such a meaningful experience,” Hickoff said. “Hearing their career paths and advice gave me a clearer sense of my next steps for my education, and eventually my career. Being a first-generation college student, speaking with alumni helped to reinforce my confidence in pursuing policy work post-grad.”

The second day began with a panel discussion and Q&A session at the Atlantic Council, one of Washington's leading think tanks focused on international affairs and global challenges. The session, moderated by Chief People Officer Kadi Cesaire, featured panelists Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative; Nour Dabboussi, associate director of the MENA Futures Lab; Kristen Taylor, associate director of the Transatlantic Security Initiative; and David Maloney, assistant director of operations and finance. The panelists shared insights about their career paths and offered guidance to students interested in international policy and think tank work.

Students then traveled to the World Bank for an extended career session with Nathan Engle, senior water resources management specialist, and Esha Dilip Zaver, senior economist.

The trip reflects the School of Public Policy's ongoing commitment to providing students with meaningful exposure to policy careers and connecting them with the professional networks needed to succeed in public service.

"Events like Career Day are essential to our mission," said Lilliard Richardson, director of the School of Public Policy. "We're not solely focused on teaching policy in the classroom, we're ensuring our students graduate with the experience, connections, and confidence to pursue careers in government and policy. The two-day format gives us more time to expose students to the breadth of career opportunities available in Washington, D.C."