- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
- My STEP Signature Project consisted of three main components: taking 13 credit hours of course work, my internship, and professional development and study tours. This all took course in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Every week I would complete up to 5 assignments for the coursework section, intern 32 hours a week at NASPAA, and attend a workshop and study tour. Throughout the entire summer I also worked on a research or capstone project that would be reviewed by the John Glenn College faculty and staff.
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What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
- My understanding of myself greatly shifted throughout my summer. I gained a federal perspective on higher education policy, and it has altered the way I think about financial literacy, equity, and policy in general. This may seem insignificant to some, but I never had to navigate public transportation before living in Washington, D.C. I am proud to say that I can get around and have the lines memorized. After completing my project, I know that I want to pursue a career in the federal government as a lobbyist or consultant focused on education policy and other areas.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
- During my STEP signature project, I also had a mentor through the program who is a federal lobbyist for Ohio State University. He was one of the most impact professional relationships I had throughout my summer, and I am grateful that he connected me with various professionals in D.C. He transformed my experience by giving me tips and advice on how to properly network with people and coffee chats.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
- After this summer, I feel more equip to enter the workforce and be an informed and engaged public servant. Before I started, I lacked confidence in reaching out to professionals for advice or small favors. I realized that the Buckeye community wants to help out students more than anything. As a woman, I felt afraid and uncertain about asking for things, and just how to advocate for myself more generally. This summer taught me the tangible skills on how to communicate properly with others and actively listening to professionals stories during informational interviews. I know how to activate my network when needed and being a better advocate.
- Also, I have realized that I love academia and made the right decision to continue my education by pursing my MPA at Ohio State University. I am a curious person at heart, but have more questions and passion since leaving Washington, D.C. I am curious about the multidisciplinary nature of public policy, and how that affects education policy and political feasibility. After this summer, I have a research paper that I would love the opportunity to continue if I decide to get my doctoral degree in public administration. I am eager to apply my knew knowledge on the nonprofit, private, and public sectors to my educational inquiries.