Public Administrator Day: students share their professional references
Public Administrator Day is celebrated on July 5th . The date honors all professionals who work in public management, performing essential functions for the functioning and development of government institutions.
On this day, it is important to think about the work of people who seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, ensuring that resources are used appropriately and that public policies are implemented efficiently for society as a whole.
Undergraduate students in Public Administration Maria Isabela Marques (São Paulo School of Business Administration – FGV EAESP) and Cristiano Palma (School of Public Policy and Government – FGV EPPG) reported that they had great references that served as inspiration to start their careers in the area.
Maria Isabela said that her inspiration to become a Public Administrator came from her own family background, but was also influenced by advice from her teacher. Cristiano Palma revealed that he was mentored and highly influenced by working with Dilma Pena, who was president of the Basic Sanitation Company of the State of São Paulo (SABESP).
See the full interview with the students below.
Who inspired you to study Public Administration?
(Maria Isabela): “ What inspired me to study Public Administration was the desire to transform my reality and the reality of those around me.”
(Cristiano): “Former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Mrs. Dilma Seli Pena, who was President of SABESP.”
For what reasons?
(Maria Isabela): “ Coming from a low-income family, and having my life transformed by education, I always wanted to give back to society the opportunity that was given to me.”
(Cristiano): “ My indignation at the less than efficient administration of public policies and the desire to elevate Brazil to full effective development.”
What is your relationship with this person?
(Maria Isabela): “ It wasn’t a person per se, but rather the situation, the sum of my experiences and desire to transform Brazil.”
(Cristiano): “ I was mentored in 2014 by Ms. Dilma Pena at Sabesp.”
Do you remember any phrases you heard from this person?
(Maria Isabela): “Paraphrasing a phrase from a much-loved professor, Fernando Burgos: regardless of where a Public Administrator is, he has the power to generate public value, that is, he has the power to transform the reality of those around him.”
(Cristiano): “For you, Dilma, we should always work with more action and reason.”
What are your motivations for the course?
(Maria Isabela): “Acquiring tools to transform the reality of my country.”
(Cristiano): “Understand the entire public machine in depth.”
To learn more about the São Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EAESP), visit the website.
To learn more about the School of Public Policy and Government (FGV EPPG), visit the website.
This article is part of the special series References that Inspire.
