Philip Gilman

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

Trachtenberg's MPA balanced tangible skills like budgeting and program evaluation with high quality leadership training, and that combination gave me the confidence to step into stretch opportunities when they arose at my agency. A few years into my career, I was asked to oversee a 17-person team allocating over $500 million annually in federal and state funds. I don't think I'd have trusted myself to take that on without the technical and leadership grounding Trachtenberg helped me build.

In what ways did the Trachtenberg community—whether professors, peers, or alumni—support or influence your career?

The access to practitioners at Trachtenberg made a significant difference in my career. I had a professor who was an associate director at the Federal Reserve teaching housing policy, who became a genuine mentor, and a former U.S. Coast Guard admiral teaching leadership. These were people practicing what they taught at the highest levels. Combined with DC-based internships that put me in direct contact with regional leaders in affordable housing from across the country, that access shaped my career as much as the coursework did.

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

Immerse yourself in all that DC offers. The faculty are actively shaping the policy they teach, so ask questions when you see a topic that interests you. The internship opportunities give you direct exposure to leaders in your field, and the constant access to think tanks and policy debates happening daily (often just a Metro ride away) will teach you as much as most classrooms. At the end of the day, the relationships you build, with professors and peers alike, last well beyond graduation, so enjoy them!