Meet the speakers for the November 7, 2018 #ELGLInspire event at the University of Texas, San Antonio! RSVP online for this event. This event hosted by GFOA, TCMA, and UMAST!
Kristopher Ryan
Fiscal Administrator, City of San Antonio
What was the very first paying job you held (that you paid taxes on)?
Bill Millers as a cook
What was your: undergraduate institution? Graduate institution?
Both grad and undergrad at UTSA
What was/were your degree(s) in?
BBA and MPA
What class(es) (if any) are applicable to your job today?
Public Finance & Budgeting
Do you have a work or life motto? What is it?
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
What book are you currently reading? Would you recommend it?
The current book I’m reading is called Born to Run which is necessarily not a job-related book. But I would highly recommend it if you’re an avid runner. However, the last professional book I read was Peak Performance: How Denver’s Peak Academy is Saving Money, Boosting Morale and Just Maybe Changing the World. I highly recommend the book because it’s a short read and tells the story of how the City of Denver was able to save millions of tax-payer dollars by empowering employees to find improvements within their daily tasks.
Other than ELGL – do you belong to any other professional associations? Which one(s)?
Urban Management Association of South Texas, Texas City Management Association, New Leaders Council
What’s the best networking advice for job seekers you’ve heard or shared?
Repeating the person’s name that you are talking not only helps you remember their name, but also lets them know you are genuinely interested in meeting them. Follow through with an email after the event if the person is someone that you want to maintain a professional relationship with.
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).
Don’t overstate your experience or capabilities in a job interview. A good interviewer can sense when a candidate is not being truthful. Be honest, specific, and concise.
Why should an undergraduate student consider a career working in local government?
Working in local government allows you to make a larger impact at the community level. You get to see the effects of your work in the daily lives of citizens. Local government also offers a variety of different jobs. No matter what your interests are or what particular skill sets you have, there is a good chance you can put them to productive use in local government.