What inspires you to work in public service?
Once I got into middle school, I became fascinated with social causes and the complexity of politics. I was constantly watching and reading the news, trying to understand not just what was happening, but why it was happening. I was drawn to the way political decisions affected real communities and sparked larger conversations about justice, opportunity, and rights.
That early curiosity eventually turned into a more serious academic interest, as I decided to study medicine and politics, and I realized that public service is where those interests meet. What started as fascination has grown into a genuine career aspiration.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Double Major: Health Sciences and Political Science
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
My coursework in Security Policy and Voters and Elections has given me a strong foundation in understanding how the policy process works as I learned how political institutions and electoral dynamics shape our nations decisions.
However, it has been my courses in Individual Differences in Patient Populations, Health Policy, and Disease Prevention that have most deeply shaped my interests in public service. Through those classes, I’ve examined how structural inequalities and gaps affect health outcomes across different communities.
Seeing the disparities within the U.S. healthcare system has driven my desire to work in public policy. I’m especially motivated by the idea that policy can improve both health outcomes and overall equity.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
As a political science and health science double major, I bring a different perspective into my internship as I come from a STEM background focused on medicine. Studying both in my academic career, has taught me that scientific research and studies depend just as much on the policy and lawmakers as they rely on the data and trials. Studying both fields has shown me that scientific research depends heavily on policy, regulatory decisions, and legislative priorities. I understand that data and clinical trials are essential, but without thoughtful policy and effective implementation, research cannot fully translate into meaningful change.
This combined perspective allows me to approach issues analytically while also considering their broader social and political implications.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
When collaborating with others I heavily rely on clear communication and organization. I believe strong teamwork begins with making sure expectations, responsibilities, and deadlines are clearly detailed and defined from the beginning. When everyone understands their role and how their work contributes to the larger end goal, projects tend to run more smoothly and efficiently.
I also value active listening in collaborative settings. Even with clear structure, it is important to remain flexible and receptive to others’ ideas or concerns. By balancing organization with openness, I aim to contribute to a team environment that is both productive and respectful, where everyone feels accountable and empowered to contribute their best work.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
My career goal is to work at the intersection of health, medicine, and public policy. I want to work on bridging research and healthcare expertise into policies that improve access, equity, and outcomes for communities. I am especially interested in addressing systemic gaps in healthcare and ensuring that public policy decisions are based on evidence and will have a positive impact on in-need communities.
I hope this fellowship will support my professional journey by providing hands-on experience in policy analysis, and engaging with stakeholders. It will allow me to learn from experienced professionals, and get hands-on experience in the nations capital. Additionally I look forward to building a strong network of mentors and peers who share my interest in public service.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
One of the most impactful projects I have worked on was managing and growing the social media presence of my jobs. I have helped to create content and oversee the accounts, focusing on posts that highlighted the work and promoted events. Over time, the content I developed helped amass thousands of views and significantly grow the social media following.
What made this project especially meaningful was that it allowed me to combine creativity with strategy. I learned how to plan content calendars, and use analytics to understand what resonated most with followers. I also made a point to highlight the company culture with behind-the-scenes moments, team events, and staff perspectives. Through this experience, I gained skills in communication, and audience engagement which are directly applicable to policy and outreach.