Travis Coenen
Village Administrator/ Former Asst. Fire Chief, Village of Wrightstown
What was the very first paying job you held (that you paid taxes on)?
Utilities contractor
What was your: undergraduate institution? Graduate institution? What was/were your degree(s) in?
NWTC UWGB Associates Degrees Fire Protection technician and Civil Engineering\Survey Technician and Bachelors Degree in Integrative Leadership with a Minor in Public Administration
What class(es) (if any) are applicable to your job today?
All education creates resources to make you successful.
Do you have a work or life motto? What is it?
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination” -Jimmy Dean
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Henry Ford
What book are you currently reading? Would you recommend it?
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Other than ELGL – do you belong to any other professional associations? Which one(s)?
WMCA, APWA, AWWA, WI State Firefighters Association
What’s the best networking advice for job seekers you’ve heard or shared?
Stop at locations of interest for potential jobs, introduce yourself, and have a resume handy. Become part of many of the great organizations out there and be active in your community. Some of the strongest business and municipal partners are very active in these organizations such as local chamber of commerce or economic development organizations.
What’s the fastest way to NOT get a job or internship with you? (e.g. what should potential applicants avoid doing if they were to ever interview with you for a position).
Lack of punctuality or lack of clean personal presentation
Why should an undergraduate student consider a career working in local government?
You will have great opportunity to serve the public and enhance your community, while earning a great benefit package. The public sector also has provides great potential for future growth with its historical stable job market.