The Key to Experiential Learning in Government Finance.

• Author: Merling, Brianna
• Position: GFOA STUDENT CHAPTERS

In September 2022, GFOA published a report titled "Meeting Demand for State and Local Public Finance Jobs" [available atgfoa.org/ meeting-demand-public-finance], which recommended new ways of attracting and retaining talent. Wanting to support GFOA's efforts to attract new talent to the public finance profession, a group of 16 graduate students from the George W. Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics [Romney Institute] at Brigham Young University [BYU] in Provo, Utah, found a quiet room and officially began BYU's first GFOA student chapter on October21, 2022. The group includes an array of diverse undergraduate degrees in public policy, economics, communication, and more. A large majority of the current cohort of students are MPA graduate students sharpening their government finance skills in preparation for careers in public service.

The BYU GFOA student chapter has already initiated projects within the community to serve and connect while gaining applicable experience. "There is no better preparation for a career in government finance service than getting involved in our community right here, right now. Our GFOA student chapter provides me with opportunities to do just that," Abbie Sanders, a BYU GFOA student chapter member, shared. Sanders is currently working as a finance associate for Utah County and has found that her GFOA membership has enhanced her work experience.

"I was reading a book published by the GFOA just this morning to help me conduct a cost analysis of a government department!"

The student chapter is guided and mentored by two longtime GFOA members and BYU faculty, Francisco Ordaz and David Matkin. Ordaz is the director of MPA career development, and Matkin is a professor at the Romney Institute. Both contribute their expertise from careers rooted in finance to student chapter members seeking and fulfilling projects.

With the GFOA student chapter well underway, GFOA student members are turning their attention to building a strong network with other GFOA members and fellow student chapters. They are planning to invite other BYU students to join the chapter and contribute their experiences to projects. Erick Bravo, a current BYU GFOA student member and graduate student, said: "I would encourage everyone interested in public and nonprofit organizations to join...