Not everyone is eager to follow the same college journey or career path as a sibling — after all, family and business don’t always mix. For alumnus Bryce Steeves, however, his sister’s encouragement to join her at USC led to “the best decision I’ve made for my academic and professional career,” he said.
Since enrolling at USC, Steeves has significantly advanced his career, securing a position in a highly prestigious national program while working for the federal government. He recently spoke with USC Online to share how the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program online from the USC Price School of Public Policy has made a profound impact on his professional and personal growth.
Pursuing a Mission of Service
Steeves originally envisioned a career in the entertainment and tourism industry. While earning his Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from California State University, Fullerton, he worked in the food and beverage department at Disneyland. However, after 14 years at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” he found himself unfulfilled and ready for a new direction. The question was, what next? His sister, Allison Irvin, offered the solution.
“I always wanted to do something within the public sector, whether that was nonprofit or working for the federal government. Lo and behold, in fall of 2019, my sister texted me she was applying to the online MPA program at USC. Because we both have similar interests, she said, ‘Why don’t we apply together and see if we both get in?’” he explained.
The opportunity immediately appealed to Steeves, as the online MPA program not only aligned with his evolving career goals, but also offered the reputation of USC Price (which is ranked No. 4 in the nation for its graduate programs in public affairs and administration), making it an ideal choice for his next career step.
“There’s a prestige that comes with getting a degree from USC. There are not many other places that hold that weight. I knew having USC on my resume was going to be greatly beneficial,” he explained.
Ultimately, both Steeves and Irvin were accepted into the online MPA, and while they never worked on group projects together, they frequently supported each other throughout the program: “It was nice that we could bounce ideas off each other and collaborate on our assignments,” he recalled.
Building MPA Connections
Steeves also valued the connections he built with other students in the program, calling it one of the top highlights of his MPA experience.
“I realized how much camaraderie you build from being in a cohort,” he said. “You know you can rely on your peers, reach out when you’re stressed and get feedback from them.”
For Steeves, USC’s impact extended beyond personal connections. He found the faculty’s real-world experience invaluable and credited the program with equipping him with skills he uses daily, particularly in critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
Initially hesitant about pursuing (and staying motivated in) an online program, Steeves quickly discovered that the remote format afforded him greater flexibility and allowed him to engage more deeply with the material. As an introvert, he found the online setting pushed him to “communicate more” with his professors and peers than he would have in a physical classroom.
A Path to Federal Leadership
Steeves’ time with USC has already paid off — and then some. Today, he’s part of the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program, which is the “federal government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree holders across all academic disciplines,” according to its website. It’s a two-year, full-time paid fellowship at a federal agency, and its mission is “to recruit and develop a cadre of future government leaders drawn from all members of society.”
“I was one of 1,000 people … that got accepted into the cohort that I’m currently in, which I will be completing in January of next year,” he said.
Steeves also works as a program analyst with the Federal Transit Administration, a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation, where he manages federal funds allocated to grantees — state and local agencies that require financial support for public transportation projects. These funds are used for a range of projects, from replacing buses and acquiring electric vehicles to major capital endeavors such as light rail and bus lane construction, which are all aimed at improving the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
Reflecting on his Trojan journey — and the pivotal decision he and his sister made to apply — Steeves is eager to continue his career in the federal government, applying his newfound knowledge and skills to the organizations he serves.
“The community that USC has built is tremendous. A lot of schools say they have this sense of family, so I was a little skeptical at first. But after completing the program, I can say it is truly an honest statement,” he said.
Learn more about the Master of Public Administration (MPA) online program today.