Melissa Reynolds's picture

Melissa
Reynolds

  • UTA ( December-2018 )
  • Universal City, Texas, USA

About (Summary)

After nearly 10 years of professional experience in Civil Engineering and 8 of those years dedicated to public service, I have embarked on a journey of obtaining a Master's Degree in Public Administration. As the Assistant City Engineer for a growing City in Central Texas, I have a responsibly to the public to effectively and efficiently manage development and City growth with the resources available. It is a very sensitive balancing act, as an increase in resources generally equals an increase in financial burden to residents, however insufficient resources leads to ineffective government. Mastering the skill of optimizing this task along with increasing my skills and abilities as a manager and leader have led my desire to increase my knowledge base and overall asset to the public. My level of management has grown in my years in the engineering and public service profession, from effective time management, to include management of multiple design and/or construction projects, to now management of public information and a substantial staff. Managing department budgets, construction timelines, along with contracts and staff resources is a typical day in my current position. Gaining new insight and tools for increasing my effectiveness as a manager and leader is something I hope to attain with a Masters of Public Administration. Public service is not only the nature of my job with the City, but a responsibility I have to my profession as an engineer. As a professional engineer, we take an oath of ethics to safeguard life and protect the health, safety, property, and welfare of the general public. It is a responsibility that I value and am honored to be a part of, but it is also a difficult task to manage when development is a driving force for increased revenue and, at the same time, impacts to our existing systems and infrastructure. The difficulties we face are not easy to communicate effectively to the general public, our political leaders, or even the development community at times.

Education

the university of texas at arlington
master of public administration
2016 to 2018
the university of texas at san antonio
civil engineering
2003 to 2007

Your Major

masters in public administration

Language Proficiency

English (US)
Fluent

Honors and Awards

honor society

Grad School Interests

With a background in Civil Engineering and Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, I am pursuing a Master's in Public Administration.

Intended Job Path

Currently serving as Assistant City Engineer for New Braunfels, with 8 years of service to the City. By obtaining a Masters in Public Administration I hope to advance my management capabilities to better serve my City and staff along with advancing my career in Public Works and Municipal Engineering.

Job Experience

Assistant City Engineer
City of New Braunfels
October, 2008 to October, 2017
project manager
Frost GeoSciences
June, 2007 to September, 2008

Volunteering

none
n/a

Hobbies

I enjoy spending quality time with my family, particularly my young daughter. My pastimes include photography, painting, spending time outdoors, jogging, and hiking.
Melissa Reynolds - UTA | HonorSociety.org
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