1. What do you do?
I lead administrative functions for our agency in procurement, budget, data, payments, physical security, facilities, emergency management, and human resources. I also provide strategic planning and leadership to help agency and city objectives.
2. What's the coolest part of your job?
Being able to navigate challenges to help solve problems for the public good.
3. Why are you passionate about it?
Being in this position allows me to understand various processes and stakeholders so that our agency can function properly in its mission to achieve its strategic goals.
4. Which skills from Georgia Tech and your IAC degree have helped you be successful in this career?
Critical thinking and diversity of thought are non-negotiable. As cancel culture seems to shut down different viewpoints more and more, Georgia Tech faculty encouraged different viewpoints even when professors disagreed with them personally as long as they were well thought out and referenced.
The hard technical skills that Georgia Tech teaches are incredibly useful, but understanding society's problems is what IAC teaches. Being able to marry both has helped me answer several questions of "why" and "how" through different lenses.
5. What's your #1 tip for students and alumni interested in your field?
Many people are unaware of the impact that local government can have on state, national, and global problems. Think about why you would want to go into those other areas. You may be able to do something just as impactful a lot closer to home.
Learn how your localities operate and the various stakeholders involved in the process. Understand their views, motivations, actions, and processes before proposing changes. By understanding the holistic impact of everything, we can build better coalitions and reduce hostility towards our goals. Learn as many technical hard skills and relationship-building soft skills as possible so that you can use them as a tool to help you solve societal problems you are passionate about addressing.
Arnab graduated with a B.S. in International Affairs in 2004. Explore more Ivan Allen College alumni careers here!
