Michael Jarrett

Why did you choose the Trachtenberg School?

Reputation and location. As a budding policy wonk, I knew I wanted to move to Washington D.C. to be in the heart of policymaking in the U.S. In addition the school's location in Foggy Bottom, the Trachtenberg School, and GW more generally, were and continue to be viewed in high regards. The impressive network of alumni proved to me that the Trachtenberg School gave students the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their careers, as well as the connections that helped to open doors, especially for those just starting out in their chosen career paths.

Looking back, what are the most valuable skills, tools, or aha-moments you gained at Trachtenberg that you still rely on today?

I still speak highly about my Capstone experience at Trachtenberg. It was one of the things that drew me to GW for grad school in the first place and my experience with the District Department of Energy and Environment was a fantastic opportunity to allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom in a real world setting. A true "aha moment"! I discussed this experience in interviews for years after I graduated. 

What advice would you share with someone looking to pursue a career similar to yours?

Foster sincere relationships. Relationship building is often as important as knowledge or skill development. You never know how someone you meet in class, at an event, or even waiting in line to board a plane might impact your career path.

Take risks. As someone who has benefitted from a non-linear career path, I've found that the risks I've taken have led me to the most rewarding experiences in my career. I had only written one line of code and ended up as the director of a data division. I had never worked in local government and now I'm leading an innovation team in a mayoral office. It can be intimidating, but the Trachtenberg School gave me many of the skills I needed to overcome the hurdles I encountered.

Seek to make a positive impact. In my career I aim to make a positive impact on good days, and not have a negative impact, even on the worst day. And always remember that at the end of the day the statistics and figures we look at are often representing real people — make sure to think of them that way, not just as numbers.