Careers in Policy and Advocacy with Labor Unions

    College of Liberal Arts
    image of the Temple T in red on a tan background

    Please note that this workshop is open only to Temple MPP students and select undergraduate students by invitation only. For inquiries, please reach out to Kasey Trapp, MPP Associate Director, at kasey.trapp@temple.edu

    Careers in Policy and Advocacy with Labor Unions

    Temple's MPP program and Rebuilding American Values (RAV) have established a strong partnership over the last couple of years, placing MPP students in internships, and some in full-time positions, with local labor unions across the Philadelphia-area. Although they might not be one of the first types of organizations that often come to mind for public policy careers, labor unions are increasingly utilizing policy analysis and research to inform their advocacy and lobbying efforts.

    Earlier this year, MPP students and alumni contributed to the final report on the Joint Task Force on Regulatory Reform for the Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) in the City of Philadelphia through their internships and jobs with local unions and RAV. Read more here:https://liberalarts.temple.edu/news/2024/04/temple-public-policy-alumni-students-contribute-final-report-joint-task-force-regulatory-reform-department-licenses-and-inspections-city-philadelphia 

    This workshop will feature the following panelists:

    • Bob Wolper, Vice President of Business Development and Client Services, Strategic Communications Consultants, Rebuilding American Values (RAV)
    • Matt Toomey, Political Liaison & Business Agent, IUOE Local 542
    • Matt Trzaska, Director of Organizing, IUPAT District Council No. 21
    • Patrick O'Connor, Organizer, Glaziers Local 252
    • Tyler Honschke, Researcher/Compliance Officer, IUPAT District Council No. 21 (and Temple MPP Alum!)

    This workshop is part of the MPP program's Professional Development and Careers workshop series. The series is designed to provide supplemental knowledge on skills and tools essential to working in the public policy field and succeeding professionally. Workshops in this series will also give students an opportunity to learn about a variety of career paths and jobs in the public policy field.