What inspires you to work in public service?
I am originally from Berkeley, California. In Berkeley, California, the homeless population is incredibly high. I was exposed at a very early age to the cruel and unfair disadvantages -- such as homelessness -- that millions of people are forced to face, which, in turn, fostered my passion for public service. Over the past several years, I have dedicated time to volunteering at a non-profit in Delaware, Ohio, called The Common Ground Free Store. Common Ground is an organization that offers free meals, clothing and shoes, toiletries and feminine products, children’s toys, books, and more to individuals and families in need. Volunteering at this non-profit was the key experience that led me to pursuing my major through Ohio State's John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and was the first step along my journey to work in nonprofit managing one day.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
My major is Public Management, Leadership, & Policy through the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Additionally, I am also pursuing a double minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Civic Engagement.
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
As a Public Management, Leadership, & Policy major, I have taken a multitude of public affairs courses that have shaped my interest in policy. For instance, my Nonprofit Communications & Government Writing course (PUBAFRS 2368) cultivated my passion for writing policy briefs and examining policy issues, allowing me to secure proficiency in both categories. I am able to think outside of the box to problem solve, highlighting a mastery in divergent thinking. Additionally, I found myself especially drawn to my Leadership in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors course (PUBAFRS 1230). It focused on how to be a strong leader and how to best run an effective environment with a strong sense of community among the employees. Because I one day hope to become a leader myself, I resonated deeply with this course and learned a great deal from it that I aim to apply to my future.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
My current role as a Policy Intern at CTL Engineering qualified me to participate in the Ohio Government Internship Program last fall. This opportunity allowed me to gain practical experience analyzing policy impacts, conducting research, and supporting policy driven projects in a professional setting. My role at CTL Engineering has strengthened my capability to clearly communicate, analyze policy issues through a solutions-oriented lens, and synthesize complex information. Additionally, during my time working as a Student Community Leader for OSU, I fostered a capacity for divergent thinking that enables me to apply not only an analytical approach to policy research, but an innovative one as well. In parallel, this leadership position allowed me to cultivate a profound skill set consisting of strong collaborative capabilities, increased emotional intelligence, and the ability to engage meaningfully with diverse groups.
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?
When collaborating with others, the strength I rely on most is simple: listening. Throughout the time I’ve spent focused on public service, I’ve realized one of the most beneficial ways to foster positive relationships with my peers is by listening to their unique perspectives. By actively engaging with those around you, you demonstrate a genuine interest in them, therefore resulting in a unified and collaborative environment. By proving to others you care and will always lend a listening ear, the chances people feel left out are significantly decreased. Additionally, those who lean towards the quieter and more introverted side will feel increased comfort in their environment, enabling them to voice their opinions more often. Through the simple act of listening to my peers, I aim to foster a positive and synthesized environment where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
During my time studying at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, I have been made acutely aware of the female underrepresentation in government and policy-making spaces. As a woman pursuing a career in public service, I have the ability to both advocate for this underrepresentation as well as take the first step in erasing it. I hope the Washington Academic Internship Program will support my professional journey by allowing me to promote women’s equality through research, policy, and activism, therefore giving me the opportunity to progress gender equity at a national level.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
During my time working in public service over the past several years, I was a participant of the Be-WISE initiative. Be-WISE is a nonprofit that works to empower the next generation through engaging STEM-based activities. As a part of this initiative, I spent time at Tyler Run Elementary School, located in Powell, Ohio, teaching younger students how to create fun science projects using candy, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, etc. The reason my involvement in this initiative is so meaningful to me is because my academic strengths have never lied within science. Understanding the material taught in my science courses never came naturally to me, and it was something I always struggled with. I wanted to be apart of something that taught children at a young age that science did not have to be something that was daunting and challenging, the way that I once viewed it. By teaching these students how to have fun with science, I was able to form a new perspective on science itself and finally foster a positive relationship with it. My involvement in the Be-WISE initiative allowed me to strengthen my academic skills substantially, while also helping others to at the same time.