David Stringfellow

What is exciting about your current position?

As an auditor, I have the ability to access any data resource from any associated state governmental entity. This unfettered access allows me to perform evaluations, audits, analysis, and economic or policy research that no other organization in the state can produce.

What aspect are you most proud of?

I have the opportunity to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and value of any aspect of government. We have independence. We can question how higher education works, or the value of economic development tax credits, or how cities allocate resources, or uncover the extent of fraud in a government program, or discover errors in the determination of property tax rates, or model the value teachers provide in classrooms, or question the critical assumptions we make in building our state retirement system. I'm most proud of our ability to contribute meaningful new information to policy debates that help the public, legislators, and administrators make better decisions.

What aspect has the most impact?

It is hard to know what research, report, or analysis will have the most impact. I think the most impact is found in personally explaining months or years of research into actionable insights - explaining complicated information, complex systems, or relevant facts clearly in highly charged policy discussions is demanding, but rewarding as consensus is built around how we will function as a society.

How would you explain what you do to someone who doesn’t understand your work?

When you tell people you are an economist, they don't normally have a lot of follow-up. I often hear how badly the person did in an economics class, but simply, I tell them my job is to help the government make better decisions in using our resources (money, labor, materials, time, laws, and policies) to have a well-functioning and prosperous society.

Did you take an unusual path?

I don't think my path to my current position was usual, but I'm not sure there are any manufactured plans drafted, while a student, that land very many people in their career of choice, a decade or two in the future. When opportunities come your way, dive into them with enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a desire to see those around you succeed. But don't wait for a path to find you, paths are made by plowing through real life with determination and optimism.

How has having an MPP helped your career?

Earning a Master of Public Policy has helped expand my professional vision and adapted the analytical tools I love to apply to real world situations. The program helped me hone my skills and interests so that I could be effective throughout my career in providing meaningful, clear, and accurate information to policy makers.

Advice for those thinking about or going through the MPP program now?

Learn a programming language. Learn how to write a brief (one to two pages) on a complicated topic that makes sense. Practice explaining a policy issue in simple terms in less than 2 minutes. Know the difference between partisanship and analysis.