From Lindsay Lohan's questionable attire in court last week to the latest episode of the Jersey Shore, one might easily lose hope in the productivity of our up and coming generations. There is, however, no need to worry because I am here to offer you a little peace of mind. The world is full of smart, strong, talented women who are more than capable of carrying us through the next 50 years and who often never get the credit they deserve. I got to sit down and talk with one of these amazing stand-out women and I just knew I had to share her story with all of you amazing Skirt! readers. This college senior's take on the current needs of our country is awe inspiring. She is a breath of fresh air amid a sea of mindless drama.
I caught up with Naomi Klein as she was curled up in a big comfy chair at Panera Bread, quietly sipping her tomato soup and crunching on her grilled cheese. Her black scarf and flower headband complimented her friendly smile as she waved for me to sit down with her. Her confident and calm persona reminded me of someone much older. It was hard not to be enthralled by her excitement for her upcoming trip to study public policy in Europe. I was grateful that she let me ask her some questions about her studies, her trip and her future.
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When did you first begin to become interested in public policy?
When it became time to graduate high school and choose my major to enter the big world of college I had to think about what made me passionate. I realized that for the past ten years of my life the only thing I did consistently in my life was watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It was then that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in politics/government. I started as a political science major in the school of liberal arts, but the college was so big I felt lost in a sea of undergrads. After taking a semester off to work as a staff member on the Obama campaign, I changed my major to public policy. Some people might ask “What is public policy and how is it different from political science?” Political science is more about the theory and philosophy of politics (focus on elected politicians) whereas public policy is more practical approach to government almost like applied political science (focus on professional government like bureaucracy ex: city managers, city planners). I am really happy with my decision to change to public policy because it focuses more on the relationship between government and the public and less about the power/party struggle between politicians. In addition, I went from being in the school of liberal arts to the Andrew Young School of Public Policy, which is a much smaller school, so I got the opportunity to build relationships with the faculty and had lots of one-on-one time to work with my professors and advisors.
What inspired this trip?
Well, I realized that after taking a full schedule this spring semester I will still have three classes left to take over the summer to graduate (because I took time off for the campaign). When I heard about this trip, I was immediately interested. There is no comparison in both excitement and learning opportunity between sitting in a classroom and going abroad for a hands-on experience (I learned more on the campaign than in any class). In thinking about going abroad, I realized that the only thing holding me back was not having the money, and I decided that a lack of funding should never be the reason keeping me from such an amazing experience, and studying broad in college is one of the cheapest ways to travel. This is my first time studying abroad and my first time going to France, so I am going to be exposed to so many new things! I would have to say that this trip was inspired by my ongoing desire to explore and experience the diversity the world has to offer even things outside my comfort zone.
Why Europe?
First let me say, "Why not Europe?!" Europe is so amazing in its history, culture, architecture, arts, etc. My major has been amazing in preparing me for government but my education has been almost completely US-centric. Students of US government can learn so much from the EU and this program will give me the chance to learn public policy on an international level. Like America, the EU is a developed post-modern world leader that encompasses/unites a group of smaller governments. These similarities allow for comparisons to be made between them! And studying the us/eu similarities and differences would add a new dimension to my policy knowledge. In addition, history is an important part of politics. America has European roots and we can always learn from where we came from.
What do you hope to learn on your travels?
I hope that experiencing and comparing the European public administration process to the American process will give me a wider and deeper understanding of what changes can be made from both sides to make government agencies more efficient and effective. For example:
In Freiburg, we are visiting the Environment Protection Authority and I hope to use that experience to develop ideas that could be theoretically applied in suggesting changes and improvements that could be made to an American agency like the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
What are you excited about seeing in Europe?
Some of the things I am excited to see are entirely cliché like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but in addition, I am excited to tour the European parliament and take a boat tour of Strasbourg as I have been told that those are some of the most exciting stops on our trip. I wouldn't use excitement to describe my feeling but I am anticipating my visit to Struthof Concentration Camp. I am Jewish and even though I have visited Holocaust museums in Washington D.C. and Israel, I have never experienced the history first hand. My great grandparents were survivors and it will most likely be an emotional and self-fulfilling experience to be there in person.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
Ideally, after graduation I would like to get a mid-level position on the Obama reelection campaign. I worked on the 2008 campaign as a field organizer and hopefully that previous experience along with the fact that I've maintained connections with the network of former staff will be enough to get me a position. Working on a (hopefully winning) campaign is a great way to propel yourself into an administrative government position (I have campaign friends that now work for the White House, Department of Education, and Department of Defense). If I don't end up on the campaign, after graduation in August, I will begin studying to take the GRE and get ready for grad school. I would like to study public policy or public administration, but take a couple years off to recuperate from undergrad before going back to school. Ultimately, I aspire to work as a program manager for either the Department of Education, Department of Health (the new bill created lots of new jobs!) or the EPA.
Ideally, after graduation I would like to get a mid-level position on the Obama reelection campaign. I worked on the 2008 campaign as a field organizer and hopefully that previous experience along with the fact that I've maintained connections with the network of former staff will be enough to get me a position. Working on a (hopefully winning) campaign is a great way to propel yourself into an administrative government position (I have campaign friends that now work for the White House, Department of Education, and Department of Defense). If I don't end up on the campaign, after graduation in August, I will begin studying to take the GRE and get ready for grad school. I would like to study public policy or public administration, but take a couple years off to recuperate from undergrad before going back to school. Ultimately, I aspire to work as a program manager for either the Department of Education, Department of Health (the new bill created lots of new jobs!) or the EPA.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I chose to go into government work because I saw government as an entity bigger than myself that I thought had an immense amount of untapped potential to bring positive change to people's lives on a large scale. My hope is that I can serve my community and the public at large to improve public services by working toward government change that looks past the polarizing division of party lines in order to find reasonable and effective solutions for social problems. I
believe the answer lies in collaboration from both sides in order to work together on agreed principles instead of constantly compromising or having to give up ideals, which leaves everyone somewhat dissatisfied.
I chose to go into government work because I saw government as an entity bigger than myself that I thought had an immense amount of untapped potential to bring positive change to people's lives on a large scale. My hope is that I can serve my community and the public at large to improve public services by working toward government change that looks past the polarizing division of party lines in order to find reasonable and effective solutions for social problems. I
believe the answer lies in collaboration from both sides in order to work together on agreed principles instead of constantly compromising or having to give up ideals, which leaves everyone somewhat dissatisfied.
How can we help and why should we follow you on this journey?You can help by going to my blog and giving me a donation through Paypal or passing this message on to someone who might be interested in sponsoring me (I am sending pretty thank you notes to everyone who donates!). I still have almost $1000 to raise before May! You should follow me on this journey at travelingnaomi.blogspot.com because I plan to share my learning experiences and the wealth of knowledge I gain from this experience with anyone who is interested to hear about it. I also believe I have a lot of potential in my future and this trip is just a small part on the journey to unlocking it.
I can sing my own praises but I would rather leave you with someone else's words on why you should support my journey. Debbie Quigley was a woman I met while working on the 2008 campaign in south Georgia. She was an amazing person with such a drive and inspiring passion for bringing a positive change to her community that she organized and led the registration of hundreds of voters in her hometown. she gave me a donation last week but what I truly treasure is the message that came with it. She said, "...we do have new by-laws (I revised them), and are electing new officers, I just do not want us to be in a situation like we were in '08 when you asked for Dem party help from my county... I am focusing on '12 elections. And we had meetings every month for a whole yr. NO small feat. I figure you are a great investment in the future of this state, country, and the world... you are that smart, focused, and just really special."
I am overcome with gratitude for her support and faith in my abilities and astounded that I was able to make a lasting impression (I haven't talked to her in person in over two years!) on someone so amazing.
I am overcome with gratitude for her support and faith in my abilities and astounded that I was able to make a lasting impression (I haven't talked to her in person in over two years!) on someone so amazing.
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I am so excited that Naomi is taking us with her on this journey to Europe. I am even more excited by the idea that there are young women out there who are taking chances and choosing to make a difference in their community and country.
SouthernDaisy
