“Professional Mask” – by Janet Williams

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Recently as I sat on a plane visiting a sick relative, I heard the
flight attendant repeat the statement, “if traveling with small
children, please ensure you place the mask on yourself securely first”,
then assist those traveling with you.” While I have heard this
statement several times before, it never seemed to fully clarify the
intention of the action the flight attendant is seeking one to carry
out. However as it continued to resonate in my mind for the entire
flight, I had an epiphany, the kind of moment, in which you realize that
your long term and life goals need to have true rewarding purpose and
meaning.

I truly understand that until we as individuals are able to take care of
our own needs as healthy citizens in a community (professional
masking), we will be unable to effectively help those around us, who
really need our help. This unselfish action, is the reason, I am
dedicated to wearing my professional mask, and filling my knowledge
toolbox, to be a viable contributor to the profession of public service.
As I continue to pursue a career in public administration I realize
this action is the most critical part of my professional aspiration.

As a working mother of two, I have always believed that, Janet E.
Williams is an individual of considerable promise. Promises made to
oneself first are the ones that deliver the greatest reward system.
While that alone may not cause things to happen, it is my belief that
faith along with those promises can allow opportunities to come my way.
My primary aspiration in life is to obtain a PhD in Public Policy and,
ultimately, pursue a healthy career as a City Manager. Once I achieve
this goal, at the capstone of my career I aspire to teach as a professor
at a historically black college and/or university, in a low to moderate
income community, similar to the City in which I currently work. I
believe that education is one of the principal means of sharing who I am
and what I have to give to others, as I continually strive to be a
person of good character and help others become better people
themselves. I am the first generational Doctoral candidate in my
immigrant family, whose one wish for me is to make myself happy first.

As a public servant for the past 14 years, it has been rewarding to be
able to see how a City uses tax dollars to work for the citizens in
community. In areas, where gaps in that spending are experienced by
many, it is a powerful statement for those citizens to understand their
rights and use the power of government to change events, and also
influence the social injustices that may be occurring in their
communities.

My career motivations, choices and ultimate educational decisions have
always been two fold, and by that I mean, it is not only important to be
well versed in policy decisions but it is also important to know how
the implementation of those policies will impact the citizens who have
to deal and ultimately live the decisions of government .

Only with true intentions can one continue to be an effective public
servant despite adversities faced along the way. These experiences help
professionals to grow and remind us to be better stewards of education
and theory. Public servitude is defined by those who never ask you to do
more than they are willing to do themselves. I could never have asked
for a more generous career and educational choice, that I believe will
navigate me smoothly to City Management and culminate in my ability to
teach the next generation. My career motivations, choices, and ultimate
educational decisions have always been two fold, and by that I mean, it
is not only important to be well versed in policy decisions but it is
also important to know how the implementation of those policies will
impact the citizens who deal with government decisions daily. I realize
clearly that this degree in the dynamics of policy, its fundamental
context, and structure will allow for my clear implementation of an
applicable knowledge base in public management and leadership, and I am
ready, and willing to work hard for this challenge.