What inspires you to work in public service?
I strive to advance legal rights and representation for underserved communities. I believe public policy is the path to developing legal rights and support for these groups. By working in public service, I plan to learn more about real policy outcomes and how they can be shaped.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
My major is Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, with minors in Linguistics and Law & Public Policy.
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
My coursework in fields of political science and philosophy have deeply molded my interests in public policy. For example, courses like an Introduction to the Policy Process with Professor Sean Trende and Political and Social Philosophy with Professor Alex Wolf-Root transformed my analytical and critical skills, providing a strong foundation for an interest in leadership and civic engagement.
Outside of the classroom, my leadership roles within student organizations have supported this interest through the development of strong communication and organizational skills. As the president of Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc., a South-Asian interest sorority, I have sought to better represent Asian histories in legal communities, understanding how different forms of policy impact different demographics.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
To any role, I bring strong communication, organizational and research skills. Through my time as a civil rights intern with the Chandra Law Firm, I developed legal research and writing skills by working one-on-one with legal victims to review documents and cases, creating summaries of cases and their legal standing for attorneys. Additionally, I gained analytical skills in analyzing federal and state laws to apply legal doctrine to unique cases. Within my student organizations, I have gained communication skills and planning skills that have aided me in creating and executing large scale events to support local elementary students in their literacy work. I hope to apply these skills to my work in Washington, D.C.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
To me, the most valuable strength is communication. When working with others, strong and efficient communication can decide a favorable outcome. In my position as a University Ambassador, I have learned about how proper communication can impact others, persuading or dissuading their positions.
By speaking with students from all backgrounds and journeys, I have learned to tailor my public speaking to the audience, and I understand its value in creating strong connection to successfully collaborate with others.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
Following graduation, I hope to attend law school and pursue a career in law and public policy. I believe my time with WAIP will help me gain valuable experience in understanding various fields of policy. As an intern, I hope to gain professional development and experience in new fields of the law. Through the WAIP program, I hope to build my connections to other students and to learn about the capital.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
In my time as an intern with the Chandra Law Firm, I was able to work one-on-one with victims of discrimination, sexual harassment, and assault. For one of these victims, I was able to help draft and prepare a victim impact statement, a task that required me to deeply understand the harassment and abuse the victim endured. I learned to speak with legal victims and to listen empathetically. Eventually, after the victim impact statement was read in court, I was happy to hear it resulted in a just sentencing of the perpetrator. I was profoundly touched to have helped a victim in her search for justice, and hope to continue advancing the legal rights of others.