By the time students enter an MPA program, they know how they plan to spend their careers. And too many of them don’t know about professional local government management until it’s too late. I should know. As a current part-time instructor at Western Michigan University’s School of Public Affairs and Administration, I saw firsthand how little the incoming students knew about professional management. And that is why I began supporting Life, Well Run.

Like so many of us that heed the call to service, my path to the role of a professional manager was not a direct one. I grew up in a home full of nurses, police officers, and teachers. I knew that I wanted to serve my community, but it was dumb luck and a good mentor that led me to ultimately become a professional manager. I was fortunate to find guidance and get good advice early on, which I know is how so many of us end up in these vital roles.

But the fact is, that is no way to recruit the best of the next generation to carry on the torch of professional management. We need a systematic, purposeful, and cohesive approach to encouraging the up and coming to give serious thought to a professional management role. And Life, Well Run is working to do that.

Having used the campaign materials in my classes, I know firsthand the power of the messaging that Life, Well Run has created. It tells the tale of our profession, which is rewarding, challenging, and a viable career that touches the lives of the people who we work with and for every day.

Life, Well Run is doing the heavy lifting to make sure that communities everywhere will continue to benefit from professional management for years to come. As someone who truly believes in the profession, supporting these efforts is extremely important to me. It’s such a small investment in exchange for such high rewards. The reward of knowing that when I retire, I’ll be leaving my community, and communities around the nation, in good hands. And if you believe in what we do as strongly as I do, I encourage you to support the profession by contributing to Life, Well Run.

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Rebecca is the city manager of Battle Creek, Michigan. She has been a member of ICMA since 2000 and a Life, Well Run donor since 2012. She is also a current part-time instructor in the MPA program at Western Michigan University.