What inspires you to work in public service?
The thing that inspires me to work in public service is my previous experiences with the government. At one point, my family and I were heavily reliant on the aid from public assistance programs, and it helped to provide some sort of normalcy in our lives. Now, however, these programs are under consistent attack that threatens not only their funding but their very existence. I am hoping to get involved in public service to help serve as a guardian of these programs and the families throughout the nation that they support.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Public Policy Analysis, B.S.; Political Science, B.A.; Minor in Law and Public Policy
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
The coursework that has most shaped my interests in policy and public service comes from some of the general education courses I have taken. A specific example that comes to mind is an Anthropology course I took about sustainability that allowed me to select a topic I was most interested in. I wrote about sustainable long-distance rail infrastructure, and through my research I realized how large an impact policy could actually have on establishing such infrastructure. Now, I am hopeful to get involved and use my work in policy and public service as a means of creating sustainable change.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
When it comes to experience, I bring a variety of government experiences to my internship. More specifically, I have worked both in the local- and state-level governments in an executive and a legislative office. Not only has this allowed me to observe the differences between how the branches operate, but it has also given me the opportunity to learn about how they interact with one another. Furthermore, it has allowed me to learn how policy is actually enacted and enforced on the local and state levels, which is where most substantive policy work occurs in my opinion. As for skills, I believe I bring a unique perspective and ability to communicate across the aisle to most experiences. Coming from a relatively conservative family, I am one of the only left-leaning individuals in my household. Rather than allow this to divide my family and I, I have used it as an opportunity to learn more about the opposing viewpoints and understand them more.
Along with my professional experience, I have had extensive exposure to examining policy issues and writing policy briefs through my academic training at OSU. I offer competence in both written and verbal communication, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Word applications. Beyond my professional and academic qualifications, I provide a thorough background in advocacy work. As mentioned above, my time volunteering at the Common Ground Free Store was pivotal in the trajectory of my life. This experience deepened my awareness of systemic inequities and reinforced my commitment to policies that uplift marginalized communities. My long-standing involvement in community service has shaped my understanding of equity and advocacy at the grassroots level and has therefore prepared me for the rigorous responsibilities that will inevitably accompany every internship role I apply to.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
The strength I most rely on when collaborating with others is adapting. While I may have ways that I like to work, they might not always mesh well with the rest of the group. Therefore, to ensure a productive environment, I rely on my ability to adapt to others work styles to ensure that group chemistry is not an issue. Furthermore, this allows me to learn other styles that may be easier in different scenarios, helping to make my future work a higher quality and more efficient.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
My short-term career goals are to graduate from The Ohio State University and attend a T-14 law school. Before attending law school, I am currently planning on working within the Peace Corps to learn more about other cultures and perspectives. My long-term career goal is to either work within the federal government as an attorney, or to work within the federal legislature helping to write the legislation that surrounds public assistance programs and their funding.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
My favorite project from a previous role was planning and hosting Delta Sig Dog Days. This event brought a group of puppies directly on campus for students to interact and play with right before finals started. It also provided food and free energy drinks to keep students focused and ready to study. Not only did it engage several hundred students and staff, but it also raised almost $3,000 for Gigi's Dog Adoption Center, a local non-profit.