What inspires you to work in public service?
I am inspired to work in public service because of the ability to give back to my country in ways which promote me to be a decision maker and provider for underserved communities.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Major: Public Management, Leadership, and Policy. Minors: Business; Law and Public Policy
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
Public Policy Analysis within the John Glenn College of Public Affairs was a great course which allowed me to explore my policy interests through collaborative brief-writing and case studies. Being engaged with a variety of different community-specific policy concerns grew my understanding of the intersection of policy and action. In addition, I took Public Affairs 4191.01: Public Affairs Internship in the fall which allowed me to gain experience working within a congressional district office as well as gain academic credit and grow through professional development tailored coursework. These classes provided me with academic experiences centered on my interest in service and policy.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
Based on my history of experiences within political and legislative work, my experiences enable my curiousity to learn more about the inner workings of federal government in our nation's capital. During my time with both Congressman Troy Balderson and Mike Carey, I built foundational skills such as constituent correspondence and was able to develop more advanced skills such as immigration casework and policy brief writing, providing my future internship opportunity with an experienced student who has not only learned about policy in the classroom but acted upon it as well.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
The strengths I most rely on when collaborating with others are centered on communication and organization. I strive to be a delegator within the group, assigning roles for members of a group based on their skillsets and interests in order to best ensure productivity among group work. My communication skills shine during moments of pressure, where I am not afraid to communicate about a conflict at hand and offer to be the solution.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
I aspire to lead a life full of service. My career goals have woven between the intersectionality of law, policy, and politics and how these sectors work together to impact the lives of the average individual. I hope this fellowship will support my professional journey by unlocking a community of Ohio State alumni in Washington D.C. and building a network of other colleagues, mentors, and fellow students who want to lead and serve their communities over any other self-interest.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
My favorite project from a previous role was with my time in Ohio's 15th district congressional office, working directly with a senior caseworker and helping several individuals throughout their visa, citizenship, or other immigration pathways. I coordinated with federal agencies such as USCIS, the National Visa Center, and embassies across the world while meeting these constituents and hearing their stories first hand.