A year ago, Jitesh Singh was contemplating what to do after graduation. With a degree in Management Information Systems from OU’s School of Business Administration, Singh planned to pursue an MBA. Instead he finds himself in the Master of Public Administration program and spending the summer in Washington, D.C., working just two blocks from the White House, at an internship at the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

“This internship really matches my technology background and because it’s in the area of public policy and public administration, it allows me to learn more about the public sector,” Singh said.

The NASPAA is a nonprofit organization serving the public service and public service education areas. More than 250 graduate schools and organizations involved in public administration, public affairs and public policy are members of the NASPAA.

As part of the internship, Singh will be involved with the data systems of the NASPAA. He will assist with the planning and designing of a data collection system that will be searchable to Web site visitors looking for information.

“I’ll be doing a lot of database work and then outputting the information the organization needs,” Singe said.

Singh’s family is also involved in public service in India. His dad is a federal agent serving the Indian government. While there are many cultural differences between the two countries, the interest in public service is something his family has always encouraged.

MPA Program Director Pat Piskulich sent students information about the program. Singh applied and was one of two students selected for two different internships at the NASPAA.

The 10-week internship program began June 26 and runs through Aug. 31. While he’s excited about the experience he’ll gain from the internship, Singh is also excited to visit the nation’s capital including seeing historic monuments and museums. Singh hopes to work in Washington, D.C. one day.

Currently, Singh is a research analyst and IT coordinator for OU INC, Oakland’s business incubator. He plans to return to that position after the internship and complete his MPA degree within the next year.