Sarah, Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle: Advize Career Interview

A career in fiscal and policy analysis offers a unique blend of intellectual challenge and impactful public service, as illustrated by a Seattle City employee's journey.

Beginning with economics and urban planning studies and shaped by Teach for America, this professional's path led to a master's in public policy and roles analyzing budgets at the state and city levels.

The work involves a dynamic mix of analytical tasks, such as data analysis using Excel and budget forecasting, and collaborative efforts, including frequent meetings with various departments and the mayor's office.

The most rewarding aspect is contributing to tangible improvements in public services like transportation and libraries, although navigating the political landscape presents a significant challenge.

Success in this field requires a combination of technical skills, strong communication, and a genuine passion for public service.

Numerous entry-level opportunities exist, including internships and fellowships, providing avenues for students to explore this exciting and fulfilling career path.

The interviewee's experience highlights the unexpected benefits of exploring diverse interests in college and the importance of self-advocacy in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Sarah Burtner

Fiscal and Policy Analyst

City of Seattle

UCLA, 2014

Masters in Special Education and Teaching at CUNY Hunter College, Masters of Public Policy at UCLA

Economics

Government

Data and Analytics

None Applicable

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Career Path of a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

Sarah's career path, beginning with economics and urban planning studies at UCLA, was shaped by Teach for America, where "it completely solidified this desire...to stay in public service". This led to a master's in public policy, a finance budget analyst role in Sacramento working on "the governor's budget" for the fifth largest economy, and finally their current position as a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the City of Seattle, budgeting for the mayor and working across various policy areas including public safety.

Career Path of a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

Main Responsibilities of a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

As a Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle, Sarah's main responsibility is guiding "my departments," including the Seattle Police Department, through the annual budget process. This involves analyzing budget requests, ensuring fiscal responsibility as a "good steward of the city's money," navigating the political aspects of budget approval, and maintaining consistent communication with various departments throughout the cyclical process.

Main Responsibilities of a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

A Day in the Life of a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

A Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the City of Seattle spends their day in a 50/50 split between meetings—"checking in with the mayor's office" and other departments—and independent analytical work, "opening up the spreadsheets" to solve budget issues such as adjusting contract reimbursement rates. This balance of meetings and independent analysis is a key aspect of the role at their current level, a balance the analyst expects to shift towards more meetings with increased seniority.

A Day in the Life of a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

Most Important Skills For A Fiscal And Policy Analyst At City Of Seattle

A Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the City of Seattle requires a blend of "emotional intelligence" and technical skills; the position demands strong communication and the ability to "calm people down," while also needing proficiency in forecasting and data analysis using tools like Excel to ensure accuracy.

Most Important Skills For A Fiscal And Policy Analyst At City Of Seattle

Favorite Parts of Being a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

Sarah, a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the City of Seattle, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role is "knowing that there are real tangible improvements that can be made to people's lives," specifically through addressing public goods like transportation and libraries—areas where the market lacks incentive to act. This public service focus, unique to government work, is what draws Sarah to her career.

Favorite Parts of Being a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Fiscal And Policy Analyst At City Of Seattle

The biggest challenge for Sarah, a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the City of Seattle, is the inherently political nature of the work, dealing with "elected politicians" whose priorities shift with their terms. This leads to a frustrating cycle of repeatedly revisiting ideas, hindering long-term progress and making it difficult to "really make progress".

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Fiscal And Policy Analyst At City Of Seattle

Favorite Parts of Working in the Government Industry as a Fiscal and Policy Analyst

Sarah, a Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle, finds the complexity of public finance most rewarding; the work involves grappling with "really thorny questions" about resource allocation and serving diverse stakeholders to achieve societal improvement, a process she contrasts with the more straightforward profit-driven goals of the private sector.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Government Industry as a Fiscal and Policy Analyst

What Type of Person Thrives in the Public Service Industry, According to a City of Seattle Fiscal and Policy Analyst

Sarah, a Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle, identifies a passion for public service as the key trait for success in her field, noting that "the best people…are truly here because they want to help people." This desire to address complex problems and improve the lives of disadvantaged community members, often those using government services the most, is a defining characteristic of those who thrive in this challenging but rewarding career.

What Type of Person Thrives in the Public Service Industry, According to a City of Seattle Fiscal and Policy Analyst

What a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Government

Sarah, a Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle, wishes someone had explained the role's unique nature before starting; the work is "really interesting," attracting "passionate people" and offering impactful work comparable to philanthropy or the private sector, contrary to initial perceptions of government work as mundane. The analyst's experience highlights the fulfilling and intellectually stimulating aspects of a career path that many may not be aware of.

What a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Government

Entry-level positions for aspiring Fiscal and Policy Analysts at City of Seattle

Numerous entry-level opportunities exist in fiscal and policy analysis, including internships—"always super fun"—at various levels of government, from state departments to the city level, such as the City of Seattle's cohort internship program. Further, nine-to-twelve-month fellowships, like Teach for America, provide additional avenues for undergraduates to gain experience.

Entry-level positions for aspiring Fiscal and Policy Analysts at City of Seattle

Significant Career Lesson from a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

Sarah, a Fiscal and Policy Analyst, learned the critical importance of self-advocacy in their career, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a reevaluation of work-life balance. The experience highlighted that "the only person advocating for yourself in the workplace is you," prompting a commitment to prioritizing personal well-being and career goals by setting boundaries and protecting their time and energy for the long haul of a career.

Significant Career Lesson from a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle

College Experiences That Helped a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle Succeed

Sarah's undergraduate experience, characterized by exploring diverse subjects and prioritizing joy—"I really just followed my nose"—rather than a rigid career path, unexpectedly shaped their career. This approach, including involvement in the leadership group unicam and urban planning courses, fostered valuable relationships and developed their intuition, leading to a fulfilling career trajectory.

College Experiences That Helped a Fiscal and Policy Analyst at City of Seattle Succeed

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahburtner/