Harris Students join Career Trek to Learn about Local Government

Jordan Parker, MPP Class of 2026, writes about the Career Development Office’s career trek to the City of Chicago and Cook County Government offices in downtown Chicago.

On a vibrant spring afternoon, graduate students from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy put their newfound data and policy analysis skills to use in the world of local government. As part of the Harris Career Development Office (CDO)’s spring Local Government Day Career Trek, students visited the City of Chicago and Cook County Government Offices in downtown Chicago for a firsthand look at how public servants foster inclusive impact across the region.

From the moment students entered the county building, one message rang clear: public policy is more than metrics—it’s also about people and community. Throughout the day, students engaged with professionals from the Bureau of Economic Development, Bureau of Human Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Research, Operations, and Innovation, Chicago Police Department, Department of Finance, and the Mayor’s Office. Each conversation offered practical advice on building a career in local government and sharpening individual policy interests.

Fourteen University of Chicago alumni shared their experience in government service, providing guidance and candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of public sector work. The students—many of whom had recently completed the rigorous core curriculum—came prepared with thoughtful questions that addressed the complex decision-making and tradeoffs in policies.

“It's super great to hear from lots of people working in government to help the people living here and make it a better place for everyone to live,” said Barbara Leppala, a first year MPP student from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lepalla will be interning with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office this summer—a role she secured through the Career Development Office’s Internship Program. 

Local Government Day is one example of how Harris’ CDO connects classroom learning with real-world impact. Designed to immerse students in policy environments beyond campus, events like these also serve as meaningful professional networking opportunities. The night before the trek, students attended an alumni mixer. This was an informal opportunity for students to network with more Chicago-based alumni working in local government, who they may not have had the opportunity to interact with on the career trek.

As public policy challenges grow more complex, Harris students are preparing to meet them with both data and empathy. Local Government Day showed what is possible when public institutions invest in the next generation of leaders, and when students bring curiosity and commitment to their learning.

This Career Trek reminded students that transformational policy does not always begin in Washington. It often starts right here in Chicago, block by block and building by building.

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