Customer satisfaction

An MPAID graduate writes me:

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for sending my resume to ... 2 years ago....  I love my job mainly because I get to do what I studied at the MPAID and most importantly do these things with the perspective that you've provided me via PED101. It's amazing how many development practitioners have such a siloed view of what they do. I can't explain to you how much your class and the program as a whole has grounded my perspective on development.

I can't tell you how often I've actually used your PED101 presentations for work purposes... [E]specially where you've got transitions from humanitarian aid to development needs, you need a holistic perspective like this and MPAID provides that perspective. In particular, it provides students with the tools they need to (a) question the advice of individuals who try to sell a "one-size fits all" approach to development e.g. structural adjustment loans or anti-corruption fixes and (b) equips students with the training now most needed (and in high demand) by government ministries - ability to provide sound policy advice to developing countries regardless of the most 'sexy' approaches e.g. globalization, trade liberalization, etc. which might not be appropriate in every context.

I wish I could say this is the typical e-mail I get from MPAID graduates (or that every resume I forward results in a job offer). No, the typical message I get is one that asks me for a recommendation letter. But I get this sort of feedback often enough to make me think we are doing something right.

Comments

[dan]

I suspect this recent letter puts your January post "Teaching Blues" into perspective. The graduate who wrote this letter obviously values what you do in the classroom.

[Per Kurowski]

You are probably right… but the ways things are don’t discard the possibility that this is just one setting you up for an upcoming new help request. You know kids are very bright nowadays.