910: How to Break Into Public Service & Government With David Halbert, Educational Justice Institute [Espresso Shots]

David Halbert is the Outreach Manager at The Educational Justice Institute (EJI) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The mission of EJI is to bring about positive policy reform to correctional institutions through the introduction of education and education-based technology into prisons and jails. Before working at EJI, David held an array of positions including working in Boston City Government as well as serving as the Deputy Director of Community Affairs at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. Then in 2018 David leveraged his city government experience and launched his own political campaign running, unsuccessfully, for an at-large seat on the Boston City Council. David graduated in 2003 with a B.A. in English and Communication from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE: Why being a receptionist is a great first job in public service  (4:42) What skills are the most important skills for success in public service (8:03) Why your major doesn’t really matter  (10:27) Why your manners matter a lot  Why to watch VEEP to get a good idea what this field is like (22:23) If you want to learn more about what David does in his current job and how he built his career check out T4C episode #615