Martin School MPA student finds success at the Kentucky League of Cities!

Experiential learning is an integral component of our educational strategy at the Martin School. As such, the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy programs both include a required course: Experiential Learning in Public Administration (PA 711). Although students have an array of experiential learning options to pursue for this course, MPA and MPP students who plan to begin a public service career after graduation often complete a summer in-person or remote internship with a government agency, nonprofit organization, or consulting/government affairs firm. 

This story features the account of Master of Public Administration student, Blake Girdler, who recently completed an internship with the Kentucky League of Cities, in Lexington, KY. Read about his experience below: 

“In the Fall of 2024, I was officially employed as a Community and Economic Development intern at the Kentucky League of Cities Lexington office, which is in downtown, Lexington. My position primarily revolved around working with leaders of member cities with projects they have initiated with KLC. I worked on three large projects which involved a lot of different forms of clerical work, meetings, and writing assignments.

• I helped write the 2025 five-year strategic plan for the City of Hazard, Kentucky.
• I drafted the Transportation Element of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan for the city of Murray, Kentucky.
• Finally, I helped design a survey response system to collect data from large batches of surveys received from the Campbell County Public Library. Overall, the level of important and “real” work that was delegated to me was amazing.

It was not your average coffee running internship, and they ensured I felt like a fully-fledged member of the team.

While the experiential learning credit was required for the MPA program, I would have liked to do an internship regardless. The requirement was a big reason that I chose to attend the Martin School because I felt I did not get a lot of ‘real world experience’ in undergrad. I feel the Martin School’s emphasis on experiential learning helps it stand apart from other programs, and the assistance I received in my internship search was unmatched.”

How did you find out about the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) internship? 

“My initial contact with KLC was when Tad Long, Community & Economic Development Manager at KLC, was invited as a guest speaker in PA 622 with Dr. Hope Harvey. I was very inspired by Tad’s philosophies of public service and his stories about putting those values in action at KLC. I was unsure if they were actively taking on new interns, so I sent Tad an email a few weeks after meeting him to ask. That is when we had an initial conversation over the phone, where he then invited me to interview for a potential position.”

Did you apply to multiple internships? 

“I had started a few other applications, primarily for remote internships I found on handshake. The process at KLC was so quick that I never actually submitted any other applications. From early on, I had a very strong gut feeling that KLC would be the best place for me to intern. I have very strong passions for local decision making and community development, so it seemed very fitting.”

What are some key takeaways from your internship?

“Outside of specialized knowledge in economic development, the key lesson I learned is that public service is often so varied and frankly chaotic, that it regularly requires taking a leap of faith. 

I faced many challenges in the projects that I worked on that I had never encountered before, and that was a bit nerve-wracking. My supervisor was very supportive and taught me that in those situations the best thing to do is just try. I had to rely on the arsenal of knowledge I have been reading in textbooks for so many years and tackle new projects with confidence. When starting a new position or joining a new field, you are not going to be perfect at it instantly, so it is okay to ask for help and have some confidence that you are in the right place. 

On a more specific note, I learned that to serve communities, the best thing you can do is listen. When we travelled across the state to help cities, we always started with listening sessions. This is because we believe local decisions should happen on the local level, and it was our job to provide the tools to do so. Every community is so vibrant and has a story to tell, so if you want to make a difference, the first thing to do is sit down and hear that story.”

Do you have any advice for other students looking for internships? 

"It is very easy to get lost in the stress of scrolling through job sites. I would say if you feel stuck, it never hurts to just send an email to someone in an organization you are interested in. KLC never posted any job listings, and I only found out about it by emailing Tad with some interest. Dr. Cory Curl is also an amazing resource at the Martin School, and she seems to know everyone. I would absolutely reach out to her if you do not know where to start your search."

A word about The Kentucky League of Cities, from Blake’s supervisor, Tad Long (Community and Economic Development Manage): 

"For several decades, the UK Martin School has been a conduit for graduate students to have a unique and authentic internship experience. The work of these interns has been substantive and meaningful. KLC appreciates the contributions of the UK Martin School graduate interns in uplifting the quality of life of Kentucky’s cities.” 

How can students find out about available internships/opportunities?

"We are guest speakers at the Martin School each semester and provide information in-person about KLC and our internship; however, we understand that timing can make all the difference. I would encourage any student interested in making a positive impact upon our cities to submit a resume to me at tlong@klc.org. We can discuss current opportunities and timing when you are ready!"

About the UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

A powerhouse for change, the Martin School at the University of Kentucky is a comprehensive school of policy and administration, offering degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, and graduate certificates. Excelling in research, education and public service, it provides an innovative environment reflective of commitment, strategic thinking and integrity. Beginning in 1976 with the creation of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, the Martin School has been on a trajectory of excellence since then, preparing graduates for a variety of public service careers including those in local, state or federal government and nonprofit agencies.

Its public financial management and budgeting specialization ranks fourth in the country and the school ranks 26th in the country overall among all public policy schools in the latest U.S. New and World Report ranking of public affairs programs. The Martin School engages in cutting-edge, policy analytic research, preparing students to be future leaders able to bridge the gap between analysis and action, helping to solve problems that matter to people and communities. 

To learn more about the Martin School of Public Policy, contact Kimberly Pressley at kimberlypressley@uky.edu or visit https://martin.uky.edu/.