What inspires you to work in public service?
I find my inspiration through my parents, who are both doctors. Although I never had an interest in pursuing medicine, I always admired my parents' sense of service and dedication towards caring for their patients and knew I wanted to find a career path that shared that ideal. Public service feels like my calling that fits that motivation; similar to doctors, those who pursue public service devote their lives to helping and providing for their constituents.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
I am majoring in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy. My minors are in Legal Foundations of Society and Women, Gender, and Public Policy.
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
Public Service and Civic Engagement (PUBAFRS 2120) was a significant course in shaping my interests, as it exemplified the importance of citizen engagement and public participation throughout all walks of life. Public Management (PUBAFRS 3500) was also a very influential course in helping me understand my career interests, as I had the opportunity to explore how public managers effectively operate and deal with challenges in the public sector. A third particularly memorable course for me was Women and the Law (POLITSC 4138), as our studies examining the evolution of how the law impacts women aligns greatly with my future career goal of advocacy for marginalized communities.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
I bring a varied background in project management, particularly with organizing high-impact events. I am a strong editor and proofreader and can be valuable in reviewing any sort of material or writing. With consideration to both of these skills, I am someone who is incredibly receptive to feedback and making improvements, as I understand the merit of creating a successful end-product. This trait comes with a high attention to detail, as I believe strongly in doing all I can to put my best foot forward in whatever outputs I create.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
When collaborating with others, my biggest strength I rely on is active listening. I believe it is incredibly important to engage all perspectives on group tasks, and I aim to ensure that every person's voice is heard and valued. Another strength I utilize frequently in group work is taking initiative. I am the person who starts the conversation to get the ball rolling, and if any issues arise, I begin brainstorming immediately on how the team can work together to resolve that issue.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
I hope to pursue a career advocating for marginalized communities. I see myself potentially doing this in law, lobbying, or communications, but I am open to other experiences and career paths. My hope is that this fellowship will support my professional journey by helping me witness advocacy firsthand to get direct exposure to the field and better understand the possibilities of jobs I could pursue.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
As the President of the Pilipino Student Association (PSA), a 100-member cultural organization here at Ohio State, I am responsible for leading an executive board of 13 that works to promote and celebrate Filipino heritage on campus. Our biggest event of the year is our annual culture night, Barrio. It is a philanthropic event, filled with performances, food, activities, and conversation. This year, I helped lead PSA's executive board to our most successful Barrio yet, with 485 tickets sold, 64 performers participating, and $3,000 raised for the ABS-CBN Foundation. I am truly proud to have played a leading role in putting on such an impactful and memorable event.