Rachel Szala
NEW Leadership Year: 2007
Job Title & Organization: Account Coordinator, Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications (A Washington D.C.-based lobbying and public relations consulting firm)
Why I Do What I Do: I love being able to interact with lots of people in Washington, and I enjoy helping those who are intimidated by the federal government system, navigate it. I love having this job that brings something new, exciting and challenging every day, and gives me a role where I can be creative and grow as an individual.
Last Good Book Read: Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime
Last Good Movie Seen: Inglorious Bastards
Hobby: Professionally dancing, cooking, going to new restaurants
Latest Personal or Professional Accomplishment: Featured as first non-senior level employee to write and approved blog posting to firm’s corporate website: www.blog.rasky.com
Favorite Quote: “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
What was your motivation for participating in NEW Leadership Ohio? My future desire to run for public office and the opportunity to meet new people from across Ohio. What is your favorite NEW Leadership Ohio memory? When we did political skits in the 3rd floor library of Page Hall, and I played the role of Sherrod Brown. I had to stand on a stool to even remotely resemble his tall height, and I tried arduously to make my voice as deep as his, but it only resulted in making everybody roar in laughter at my failure to make it really deep. Everyone’s skits were fun, and it was a great bonding experience.
Describe your career path and how you ended up with the job you currently have? I interned spring quarter before I graduated from OSU in Washington, D.C. with the John Glenn Washington Academic Internship Program. While in D.C., I networked and was able to land an interview with the firm I am currently working at. I plan to eventually go to grad school for a Masters in Public Policy or Administration, and a possible joint Law degree. I eventually want to be in a government relations position for a large organization or company, organizing government relations events, conducting legislative liaison work, and managing large PR campaigns. My final career goal is to run for public office, maybe first as a state legislator and hopefully one day for Congress.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to current and future NEW Leadership participants? Meet as many people as you can, and form friendships and mentorships each step along life’s path. Also, stay in touch with those that have helped you along the way, whether it’s through a yearly Christmas card, or an email note here and there. The people who care enough to give you advice or mentor you, help shape who you are, who you’re going to be, and will become some of the most important people in your life. What is the most valuable thing you took away from your NEW Leadership experience? The empowering statement that “when women run, women win.” The statement gave me the encouragement and confidence I needed to begin shaping my career decisions around running for public office in the future.
What would your NEW Leadership classmates be most surprised to know about you now? That I am on the dance team for a professional basketball team.
Click here to contact Rachel Szala
Job Title & Organization: Account Coordinator, Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications (A Washington D.C.-based lobbying and public relations consulting firm)
Why I Do What I Do: I love being able to interact with lots of people in Washington, and I enjoy helping those who are intimidated by the federal government system, navigate it. I love having this job that brings something new, exciting and challenging every day, and gives me a role where I can be creative and grow as an individual.
Last Good Book Read: Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime
Last Good Movie Seen: Inglorious Bastards
Hobby: Professionally dancing, cooking, going to new restaurants
Latest Personal or Professional Accomplishment: Featured as first non-senior level employee to write and approved blog posting to firm’s corporate website: www.blog.rasky.com
Favorite Quote: “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
What was your motivation for participating in NEW Leadership Ohio? My future desire to run for public office and the opportunity to meet new people from across Ohio. What is your favorite NEW Leadership Ohio memory? When we did political skits in the 3rd floor library of Page Hall, and I played the role of Sherrod Brown. I had to stand on a stool to even remotely resemble his tall height, and I tried arduously to make my voice as deep as his, but it only resulted in making everybody roar in laughter at my failure to make it really deep. Everyone’s skits were fun, and it was a great bonding experience.
Describe your career path and how you ended up with the job you currently have? I interned spring quarter before I graduated from OSU in Washington, D.C. with the John Glenn Washington Academic Internship Program. While in D.C., I networked and was able to land an interview with the firm I am currently working at. I plan to eventually go to grad school for a Masters in Public Policy or Administration, and a possible joint Law degree. I eventually want to be in a government relations position for a large organization or company, organizing government relations events, conducting legislative liaison work, and managing large PR campaigns. My final career goal is to run for public office, maybe first as a state legislator and hopefully one day for Congress.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to current and future NEW Leadership participants? Meet as many people as you can, and form friendships and mentorships each step along life’s path. Also, stay in touch with those that have helped you along the way, whether it’s through a yearly Christmas card, or an email note here and there. The people who care enough to give you advice or mentor you, help shape who you are, who you’re going to be, and will become some of the most important people in your life. What is the most valuable thing you took away from your NEW Leadership experience? The empowering statement that “when women run, women win.” The statement gave me the encouragement and confidence I needed to begin shaping my career decisions around running for public office in the future.
What would your NEW Leadership classmates be most surprised to know about you now? That I am on the dance team for a professional basketball team.
Click here to contact Rachel Szala
