What inspires you to work in public service?
For me, public service is the embodiment of loving one’s community. Through servicing the community and advocating for the needs of others, one is able to work towards a goal that uplifts the entire community. While public service can be exhausting, by showing up with compassion, creativity, and commitment, meaningful change can be created. Through actively listening and consulting with community members, working to understand their needs, considering multiple solutions, and working collaboratively with others, progress can be made and people can be helped in ways that respect both their perspectives and their dignity. When I serve my community, I am able to treat others the way that I wish to be treated, and make positive change in the world. My ultimate goal in my career is to continue serving others by using policy as a tool to support constituents and my community while contributing to positive change that I believe in.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Public Policy Analysis (Dual Degree Program)
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
My academic experience as a Civil Discourse Fellow significantly shaped my interests in policy and leadership. As a Fellow, I was trained on how to plan and moderate forums featuring speakers who hold opposing views on political issues. Through this experience, I eventually organized a forum with Professor Jessica Trisko Darden and Ambassador Jason Chung to speak on the question “What are the foreign aid responsibilities of developed countries?”. Through hosting this forum, I learned how to lead individuals with differing policy views to engage in debate with curiosity, charitability, conscientiousness, and constructiveness. Engaging with these contrasting perspectives deepened my appreciation for the complexity of public policy and has motivated me to research and evaluate multiple approaches to salient policy issues.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
I bring strong technical writing skills to my internship, developed through my academic course load, my research assistant experience, and my time with Ohio State’s Model UN team. I have also developed leadership, communication, and time management skills through leading the Law and Society Scholar’s Advocacy Committee and serving as President of the Smith-Steeb Community Council. Finally, I bring a willingness to learn and take on every single task, no longer how small or large, with excitement and dedication!
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
When collaborating with others, I most often rely on clear communication, mutual trust and respect, and long and short term planning. I believe that through clear communication, one can most effectively utilize individual strengths as well as the abilities of the team as a whole. Additionally, having a foundation of trust and respect is essential to ensure that all team members feel valued and are able to work together productively. Finally, by fully understanding project deadlines, the team can plan and complete high-quality work in the most efficient manner.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
I hope to one day become a policy lawyer working to best serve my community through advocacy. I hope that this fellowship will support my professional journey by providing me exposure to the federal policymaking process and the opportunity to learn in a professional, real-world setting. Through hands-on internship experience in the Congressional Office of Marcy Kaptur, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how bills and policies are shaped, implemented, and influenced to best serve constituent needs. Additionally, by engaging with professionals and alumni working in government and public service, I will be able to further explore my career path, build meaningful mentorships, and prepare for law school and a career committed to public service.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
Last semester, I worked at Pappas and Associates. As a policy intern, I was frequently sent to observe committee hearings in both the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate. I attended hearings in the House Health Committee, House Agricultural Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and more to take notes on over 30 bills. By attending these hearings, I strengthened my understanding of the legislative process and gained insight into the concerns of various communities and interest groups while also learning to identify the issues most relevant to our clients.