Well, session is coming to a close as is the semester. At this rate my boss predicts that the session will end sometime in the next 14 days. It's a little sad because this job/internship has been the best of my life. I loved getting to work in a professional environment with a bunch of truly great people. I made new friends and gained a few helpful connections.
Coming in into this position back in January, I had very little knowledge of how the actual governmental process works. Because of this internship, I got to see it work from the inside and I learned so much. For example, I learned how bills are transferred and voted on, I got to experience representative democracy first hand, and I saw how the organizational process at the legislature works. I learned about proper etiquette and seeing the Senators go to work during floor session and caucus was something truly great. I'm walking away with so much more knowledge than I had when I first stared out.
This job also gave me reassurance that government is a career I will be satisfied with in the future. While it can be difficult sometimes, I saw that it was an honorable profession. Everyone was friendly and even though I was a Page, I felt like an equal amongst my co-workers. It was as a professional environment that is serious when it needs to be, but people still had a fun time. It was because of this that I looked forward to working every day. It felt like everyday I learned something new and I loved that.
Despite being learning so much, I still feel like there is always more to learn. This is partly the reason I would definitely be interested in returning for the next legislative session. If they are willing to have me back next session, at any point, I would accept the position with open arms.
All-in-all, this was a great experience that I'll never forget. It was my first "official" job working in government and a professional environment. After this it will be hard to go back to a normal job in retail or something like that. This internship worked out wonderfully, and I'll be sad when the session is officially over. I appreciate the opportunity I've received and I can only hope I get hired back next session to continue gaining experience in government sector.
Thanks for reading my posts everyone!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Whacky day at the Senate
Yesterday was a lot of fun. It seemed to be a normal day like any other. I showed up to work, finished my responsibilities and went back to the office. At about the usual time, the Floor bell rang (a bell that alerts Senators and staff that Floor Session is about to start). All of the pages including myself made our way to Floor. It seemed to be a long session, but it didn't matter because everyone was having a ton of fun.
There were a few important bills that were voted on, a few of which involved women's contraceptives. It got serious for the first part of floor, but towards the end there was anarchy (maybe a slight exaggeration)! Senators and secretaries were consistently forgetting what to say or do in certain situations. There was a lot of confusion and all of the Senators seemed to be out of the groove. What was so funny about all this, was that everyone was okay with it. It wasn't a stressful situation, instead everyone was laughing about it and people were having a good time.
Everything just seemed backwards, thanks to a few unusual floor amendments that needed to be voted on. It stretched the session at least 40 minutes longer than it needed to be, but no one seemed bothered by it. What I found so great wasn't just the fact that things were a bit crazy and funny, but this instance showed that working in government doesn't have to be all serious all the time. No one is perfect and even the most experienced professionals are capable of being a little lost. I took solace in that and it reinforced my thinking that government isn't always so tense. It can be fun from time to time, I love that.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Personal Post 5 - Choosing A Concentration
I'm at the point in my college career where I must start considering what specifically I should do. Up until now, I've been content with the ps/pp degree but I hadn't figured out a sound concentration within that degree. It took a while to figure out, but as of today I am confident that I should concentrate in public leadership & management (thanks in part to my awesome adviser Chris Hiryak!).
It was a tough decision but it is the best fit for me. I've never had a quantitative or analytic personality. Those are two exremely important factors if I were to concentrate in public policy, but that's probably not the best fit for me. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely interested in public policy but focusing in on the little details of law making and implementation would be extremely difficult for me. Instead, I'm more interested in the organizational process of government. Public leadership/management is a much broader field of study and would certainly apply to the type of position I'm looking for in a government administration.
Still, I have yet to figure out which specific career I would like to pursue. I figure this is something I'll never truly figure out as life, professions, and the world around us is constantly changing. Regardless, with a concentration in leadership and management I feel far more confident moving forward, it just feels right.
It was a tough decision but it is the best fit for me. I've never had a quantitative or analytic personality. Those are two exremely important factors if I were to concentrate in public policy, but that's probably not the best fit for me. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely interested in public policy but focusing in on the little details of law making and implementation would be extremely difficult for me. Instead, I'm more interested in the organizational process of government. Public leadership/management is a much broader field of study and would certainly apply to the type of position I'm looking for in a government administration.
Still, I have yet to figure out which specific career I would like to pursue. I figure this is something I'll never truly figure out as life, professions, and the world around us is constantly changing. Regardless, with a concentration in leadership and management I feel far more confident moving forward, it just feels right.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Career service event - Successful Interviewing Seminar
For my second career event, I attended a seminar dealing with professional interviewing and the different ways to be successful. This was extremely informative. The first piece of advice that I got was that you don't want to prepare so much that you can't communicate what you want to effectively. In other words, don't over think too much. Be genuine and answer questions with professional, but honest responses. Our instructor said that you should come off as prepared, not rehearsed. I couldn't agree more.
Something else that I found interesting was that it's important to market yourself, but at the same time evaluate your potential employer. Your feelings are also important, not just meeting interviewer expectations. It can't hurt to know a little about the company as well, reviewing key concepts and assessing yourself to confirm that it's a good fit. I really never thought of it like this but there is a lot of truth to this information.
After talking about the preliminary things, we moved onto the actual interviewing process. It's no secret that first impressions are extremely important. When scheduling, it's best to plan to be either one of the first or last interviewees for sheer memory sake. Arriving for an interview can be stressful, but it's a good opportunity to get in the zone and be prepared. One of the most important aspects, if not the most important, is a nice professional appearance. Our lecturer described it as "business casual". From there we went into a more descriptive lecture analyzing the types of interviews conducted. There was a screening interview, commonly known as a telephone interview. From there we talked about a panel interview, which is one of the most stressful interviews in my personal experience. Often times there are multiple interviewers and applicants in the same room, all being interviewed at once. Then there is a structured setting, which is much more conversational in nature. The end result is multiple different processes that can play out differently. It's important to stay calm, confident, and precise no matter what happens.
The final segment of this career event emphasized the actual interview and what to expect. There is almost always an introduction, middle, and closing section during your interview. In the beginning there is usually a question that embodies: "tell me about yourself", what this means is tell me about yourself as it applies to this position. That's an important piece of information. The middle section is more straight forward, often they ask you to "give an example of...". This can be one of the most off-putting parts of an interview, so it's crucial to expect it and think of possible scenarios in advance that you could use as an answer. By the end it can't hurt to have some questions prepared. I found it interesting that you're not suppose to ask anything that "assumes" you got the job. Instead, ask things about the company and the interviewers.
Overall it was a very good event, and I learned a lot. I'll definitely be using some of these strategies for future interviews, being prepared without being rehearsed stuck out in particular. The closing message was that honest answers and confidence are the most important things, that's what employers look for. It was a great seminar.
Something else that I found interesting was that it's important to market yourself, but at the same time evaluate your potential employer. Your feelings are also important, not just meeting interviewer expectations. It can't hurt to know a little about the company as well, reviewing key concepts and assessing yourself to confirm that it's a good fit. I really never thought of it like this but there is a lot of truth to this information.
After talking about the preliminary things, we moved onto the actual interviewing process. It's no secret that first impressions are extremely important. When scheduling, it's best to plan to be either one of the first or last interviewees for sheer memory sake. Arriving for an interview can be stressful, but it's a good opportunity to get in the zone and be prepared. One of the most important aspects, if not the most important, is a nice professional appearance. Our lecturer described it as "business casual". From there we went into a more descriptive lecture analyzing the types of interviews conducted. There was a screening interview, commonly known as a telephone interview. From there we talked about a panel interview, which is one of the most stressful interviews in my personal experience. Often times there are multiple interviewers and applicants in the same room, all being interviewed at once. Then there is a structured setting, which is much more conversational in nature. The end result is multiple different processes that can play out differently. It's important to stay calm, confident, and precise no matter what happens.
The final segment of this career event emphasized the actual interview and what to expect. There is almost always an introduction, middle, and closing section during your interview. In the beginning there is usually a question that embodies: "tell me about yourself", what this means is tell me about yourself as it applies to this position. That's an important piece of information. The middle section is more straight forward, often they ask you to "give an example of...". This can be one of the most off-putting parts of an interview, so it's crucial to expect it and think of possible scenarios in advance that you could use as an answer. By the end it can't hurt to have some questions prepared. I found it interesting that you're not suppose to ask anything that "assumes" you got the job. Instead, ask things about the company and the interviewers.
Overall it was a very good event, and I learned a lot. I'll definitely be using some of these strategies for future interviews, being prepared without being rehearsed stuck out in particular. The closing message was that honest answers and confidence are the most important things, that's what employers look for. It was a great seminar.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Another interesting argument...
As of late I have been treated to many interesting arguments regarding bills. The categories range from everything from border security laws, small business policies, and even Arizona observatory laws. However there has been one topic that thus far has not been mentioned in debate, abortion. Well, the silence was broken last Thursday.
Although I'm not entirely sure what the actual bill the Senators were debating did, I do know that the core argument was either pro-choice or pro-life. The topic involving abortion is one that is heavily controversial in our society, and it's no different here. The majority of pro-life supporters are the the Republican majority, while pro-choice is naturally in the Democrat minority. Though the bill up for vote debate had very little do do with abortion regulation in Arizona, it didn't stop the Senators from voicing their opinions on the entire matter. Most arguments from the Republican side consisted of points regarding "the sanctity of life" and religion. The Democrats relied more on the individual rights and choices of the women who were making this difficult choice.
I tend to lean more towards a woman's right to choose, but then again its still really not by place to say. What I do know is that this topic has been gaining heat for many years and I believe it's becoming a very intense argument, from a political standpoint as well as a societal one.
Although I'm not entirely sure what the actual bill the Senators were debating did, I do know that the core argument was either pro-choice or pro-life. The topic involving abortion is one that is heavily controversial in our society, and it's no different here. The majority of pro-life supporters are the the Republican majority, while pro-choice is naturally in the Democrat minority. Though the bill up for vote debate had very little do do with abortion regulation in Arizona, it didn't stop the Senators from voicing their opinions on the entire matter. Most arguments from the Republican side consisted of points regarding "the sanctity of life" and religion. The Democrats relied more on the individual rights and choices of the women who were making this difficult choice.
I tend to lean more towards a woman's right to choose, but then again its still really not by place to say. What I do know is that this topic has been gaining heat for many years and I believe it's becoming a very intense argument, from a political standpoint as well as a societal one.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Interesting politics
As of late, there has been a heavily debated bill here at the Senate regarding Billboards in Northern Arizona. Basically, billboard companies want the freedom to put billboards wherever they want while astronomers don't want billboards near their renown observatory. Supposedly the billboard light interferes with the ability to see the stars, and the observatory near Flagstaff is one of the best in the world.
Over the last week this bill has been a hot button issue, with most Democrats wanting to ban billboards within a 75 mile radius of the observatory while Republicans see no reason to do so. it was first considered much more of a "liberal issue" but around the office everyone seems to have a different opinion. During floor session, the argument went on for at least 30 minutes. It was said that the company's lobbyists negotiated to turn off all billboards between 11:00pm til the early morning. Democrats claim that there was no such mention of an agreement.
Personally, I side with the observatory. It's one of the leading facilities in the world that generates millions of dollars for the Arizona economy. Putting up a lot of billboards would completely interfere with the clearness of the sky and the ability to see stars and planets clearly. Earlier the Pages actually had an interesting discussion regarding the matter. Like I always say, there's never a dull moment here at the Senate.
Over the last week this bill has been a hot button issue, with most Democrats wanting to ban billboards within a 75 mile radius of the observatory while Republicans see no reason to do so. it was first considered much more of a "liberal issue" but around the office everyone seems to have a different opinion. During floor session, the argument went on for at least 30 minutes. It was said that the company's lobbyists negotiated to turn off all billboards between 11:00pm til the early morning. Democrats claim that there was no such mention of an agreement.
Personally, I side with the observatory. It's one of the leading facilities in the world that generates millions of dollars for the Arizona economy. Putting up a lot of billboards would completely interfere with the clearness of the sky and the ability to see stars and planets clearly. Earlier the Pages actually had an interesting discussion regarding the matter. Like I always say, there's never a dull moment here at the Senate.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Office interactions
One thing I've found interesting since I began working for the Senate is the amount of professionalism amongst Senators. For the longest time a presumed ideal that politics had to be dirty or unforgiving, everything based off of majority power and party beliefs. To a degree this is true, however it's not always the case. Across the office there is mutual respect between all of the Senators.
What I mean is that regardless of party affiliation or political ideology, each one of the Senators are very diplomatic and friendly towards each other, at least that's the way it seems on the surface. They may argue or disagree on a bill, get into a heated debate on the Floor, but there is still a sense of respect and general friendliness. Democrats and Republicans alike frequently talk and joke around with each other when they see one another and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them hung out, outside of the work place.
It's good to see things like this because it displays that the political process isn't always dreary and hopeless, and if you don't get your way, work doesn't have to become hell. I see that these people, Senators as well as the few representatives I've met, genuinely care about implementing policies for the good of Arizona regardless of party affiliation. It's something every Senator strives for and it's truly a great thing. That may not be the case everywhere but in this state I find it refreshing that despite core beliefs and values, everyone gets along and respects the opinions of one another.
What I mean is that regardless of party affiliation or political ideology, each one of the Senators are very diplomatic and friendly towards each other, at least that's the way it seems on the surface. They may argue or disagree on a bill, get into a heated debate on the Floor, but there is still a sense of respect and general friendliness. Democrats and Republicans alike frequently talk and joke around with each other when they see one another and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them hung out, outside of the work place.
It's good to see things like this because it displays that the political process isn't always dreary and hopeless, and if you don't get your way, work doesn't have to become hell. I see that these people, Senators as well as the few representatives I've met, genuinely care about implementing policies for the good of Arizona regardless of party affiliation. It's something every Senator strives for and it's truly a great thing. That may not be the case everywhere but in this state I find it refreshing that despite core beliefs and values, everyone gets along and respects the opinions of one another.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Career event - Teach For America
Yesterday I attended a career service event sponsored by Teach For America. After the meeting I must say, I am intrigued. The event was hosted by Kelley Stewart who's specialty is recruiting and spreading the word about the organization. For those of you who don't know, Teach For America is an organization that hires top college graduates and places them in low income areas around the country and allows them to teach students, all of this is done in hopes of impacting students, lowering the achievement gap, and generally improving the education system.
The event started out with "what it takes to be successful". Hard work, leadership, determination, and most importantly a drive to help improve education and the lives of students. It sounded like something I could definitely get on board with. Next, Kelley talked about the various locations around the United States where Teach For America operates. The range was immense, from L.A., Phoenix, Chicago, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia, there are tons of cities that you could try to make a difference in.
I also found out that working for TFA is just like having a job as a teacher, same pay and everything. Starting salary for a TFA corps member is between 31,000 to 40,000. It's not the highest salary admittedly, but it's great for someone who just got their degree and is looking to start a job. Also, a corps member will receive all the benefits that a regular teacher would. As an added bonus, if accepted into TFA all interest on previous student loans will be covered and there are tons of opportunities to earn scholarships for grad school. This definitely got me thinking about possibly applying for TFA when I graduate.
The overall application process is somewhat simple but also important. I was told by Kelley that it's important to have a lot of professional experience and information to provide, I also need to write a strong letter of intent. If my application was chosen, then it would be followed up with a phone interview along with a written activity. If I made it past that round, then I would chose my location preferences and submit two letters of recommendation. If I so chose, I may also attend a summer program at an institute that would get me properly prepared for work in the corps.
Before the event was over I talked with Kelley. I told her that I was a public policy major and I wanted to know if working for TFA would help me in any way in terms of my career goals. She responded enthusiastically that it would definitely help. She responded "TFA is great for setting up future leaders and it could be very beneficial for me". if I so chose, I could see the problems with the education system from the inside, and aspire for change. TFA would also provide me with valuable leadership skills and lifetime connections. All of these things could be very beneficial to me.
I walked away from the event feeling very enlightened. I could definitely see myself working for TFA after I graduate. It would provide me with a job and be a gateway to my future career in government. It's definitely something to consider.
The event started out with "what it takes to be successful". Hard work, leadership, determination, and most importantly a drive to help improve education and the lives of students. It sounded like something I could definitely get on board with. Next, Kelley talked about the various locations around the United States where Teach For America operates. The range was immense, from L.A., Phoenix, Chicago, New Orleans, New York and Philadelphia, there are tons of cities that you could try to make a difference in.
I also found out that working for TFA is just like having a job as a teacher, same pay and everything. Starting salary for a TFA corps member is between 31,000 to 40,000. It's not the highest salary admittedly, but it's great for someone who just got their degree and is looking to start a job. Also, a corps member will receive all the benefits that a regular teacher would. As an added bonus, if accepted into TFA all interest on previous student loans will be covered and there are tons of opportunities to earn scholarships for grad school. This definitely got me thinking about possibly applying for TFA when I graduate.
The overall application process is somewhat simple but also important. I was told by Kelley that it's important to have a lot of professional experience and information to provide, I also need to write a strong letter of intent. If my application was chosen, then it would be followed up with a phone interview along with a written activity. If I made it past that round, then I would chose my location preferences and submit two letters of recommendation. If I so chose, I may also attend a summer program at an institute that would get me properly prepared for work in the corps.
Before the event was over I talked with Kelley. I told her that I was a public policy major and I wanted to know if working for TFA would help me in any way in terms of my career goals. She responded enthusiastically that it would definitely help. She responded "TFA is great for setting up future leaders and it could be very beneficial for me". if I so chose, I could see the problems with the education system from the inside, and aspire for change. TFA would also provide me with valuable leadership skills and lifetime connections. All of these things could be very beneficial to me.
I walked away from the event feeling very enlightened. I could definitely see myself working for TFA after I graduate. It would provide me with a job and be a gateway to my future career in government. It's definitely something to consider.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Controversy at the Capital
Yesterday I was treated to a spectacle throughout the day and during Floor Session. A major hot button issue here in Arizona that's recognized throughout the United States is immigration laws. Needless to say that it's very split at the legislature, with most Republicans endorsing heavier boarder patrol while Democrats disagree, heavily. Starting early in the day, the Committee on Border Security was very heated with certain Senators just walking out because of pure frustration. On the Floor it got really intense when, during third reading of bills, a bill involving funding for extra border security came up. Basically, 500,000 dollars would be used to start a new sort of border "police" however it seems more like a border militia to me.
Democrats heavily protested this because 1) They are generally not anti-immigration and 2) It seemed like unnecessary money that could go towards a different cause all together. Being as they were in the extreme minority, it didn't make a difference and the bill was passed. It was a prime example of the political process at work, with arguments and objections lasting for a good amount of time.
I knew when I started working for the Senate that I would, somewhere along the line, be around during a border security issue. Yesterday was that day and I found it fascinating. This issue will continue to be heavily debated not just in Arizona but all over the country. A certain Senator even said this is the kind of legislation that will make people laugh at us across the nation. It sounds harsh, but it's probably the truth.
Democrats heavily protested this because 1) They are generally not anti-immigration and 2) It seemed like unnecessary money that could go towards a different cause all together. Being as they were in the extreme minority, it didn't make a difference and the bill was passed. It was a prime example of the political process at work, with arguments and objections lasting for a good amount of time.
I knew when I started working for the Senate that I would, somewhere along the line, be around during a border security issue. Yesterday was that day and I found it fascinating. This issue will continue to be heavily debated not just in Arizona but all over the country. A certain Senator even said this is the kind of legislation that will make people laugh at us across the nation. It sounds harsh, but it's probably the truth.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Personal Post 4 - Careers
So far I'm quite glad I chose a PP/PS degree here at ASU. I'm still only a sophomore, but I'm perplexed in regards of my future career in government. I know for certain it's something I want to do, but at this point I don't know exactly what specifically I should do. It would be cool to continue working for the Senate, maybe work my way up the ladder. But there is literally so many other careers I could get into! I could go to Washington DC and get involved in the political climate there, I could go back home and work for intergovernmental affairs in Seattle, I could even work for a non-profit organization somewhere. There are lots of options at my feet, and that's something I like about this degree. It's broadness. I always thought it would be cool to work for the Department of Homeland Security or a well recognized and important federal agency. Just working at the Senate as increased my scope of governmental affairs and the future looks promising (for the most part). I'm still young so I have plenty of time to figure this out, but it's definitely on my mind moving forward.
Primary Day
Today is a little exciting because of the primaries at the Senate. Many people, including fellow pages, have or are going to vote today for the candidate they are most confident in for President. It's a pretty big deal, as many big time names have shown up here at the Senate. CNN as well as Fox News are both camping outside the complex in the Wesley Bolin Plaza, where there is lots of tents and places with free food.
The atmosphere today is pretty crazy around the office, a good majority of my co-workers identify with the Republican party so it's a big deal. A few got up bright and early and went to submit a ballot before work. Democratic Caucus was also particularly interesting today
Although it was short, there was debate regarding a bill under consideration that makes unemployed workers have to pay for a drug test themselves. Needless to say that many of the Democrats were unhappy with the bill and it is unclear what the reaction will be in Floor Session. I was in the appropriations committee when the bill was proposed, and even then there was a good amount of controversy. It will be interesting to see where this goes. There is never a truly dull moment here at the Senate.
The atmosphere today is pretty crazy around the office, a good majority of my co-workers identify with the Republican party so it's a big deal. A few got up bright and early and went to submit a ballot before work. Democratic Caucus was also particularly interesting today
Although it was short, there was debate regarding a bill under consideration that makes unemployed workers have to pay for a drug test themselves. Needless to say that many of the Democrats were unhappy with the bill and it is unclear what the reaction will be in Floor Session. I was in the appropriations committee when the bill was proposed, and even then there was a good amount of controversy. It will be interesting to see where this goes. There is never a truly dull moment here at the Senate.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The days are getting longer...
As I was warned when I first started in my position, the days don't stay perfect forever. Lately there has been a lot of committees that go longer and because of that, many of us interns have to stay. It can be unfortunate sometimes, especially after a long day of work. However, I can't help but feel like it's preparing me for the real world.
It's pretty common knowledge that if you work in government, chances are you're gonna have to put in some late nights. Now that I've worked for the Senate for awhile I can see that it's the truth. My prediction is that days will only get longer from here on out. Each shift seems to get busier and busier. I'm not complaining though, I'm relishing the opportunity to see how working in government sector truly is.
The other day the appropriations committee went for five hours with only one break. I got the privilege of sitting in on the committee and listened to Senators discuss important matters. Its events like this that give me true insight into what government is really about and how it can be a very rewarding but highly stressful job. Regardless, by the end of the day people were still in good spirits. Dem. Caucus didn't start til around 4:15pm, but all of the Senators and staff seemed no different than usual, despite the long day. I've had a few people tell me that sometimes people stay all the way til' midnight on rare occasions. So I'm mentally preparing myself for that in the future.
It's pretty common knowledge that if you work in government, chances are you're gonna have to put in some late nights. Now that I've worked for the Senate for awhile I can see that it's the truth. My prediction is that days will only get longer from here on out. Each shift seems to get busier and busier. I'm not complaining though, I'm relishing the opportunity to see how working in government sector truly is.
The other day the appropriations committee went for five hours with only one break. I got the privilege of sitting in on the committee and listened to Senators discuss important matters. Its events like this that give me true insight into what government is really about and how it can be a very rewarding but highly stressful job. Regardless, by the end of the day people were still in good spirits. Dem. Caucus didn't start til around 4:15pm, but all of the Senators and staff seemed no different than usual, despite the long day. I've had a few people tell me that sometimes people stay all the way til' midnight on rare occasions. So I'm mentally preparing myself for that in the future.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Personal Post 3 - Sports
My third and possibly most important hobby/pass time would be sports. I'm a huge fan of football, basketball, and baseball. Football is definitely the personal favorite, but each sport brings it's own enterainment to the table. I love football because of the sheer excitement and energy. I'm also a die hard Seattle Seahawks fan, so I look forward to any chance to see my team play.
The good thing about sports is that it's year round! there is always something being played. Basketball and Baseball both apply to this and are quite interesting when football isn't an option. Though I'm from the Seattle area, I grew up a Portland Trail Blazers fan due in part to me living in Portland for a year when I was young. When it comes to baseball I'm a Mariners fan, unfortunately. They like to disappoint me year after year, but I stay loyal to my teams.
So there you have it, a little more about me, the one and only Travis Kester.
So far so good...
I have officially been at the Arizona State Senate for a little over a month now, so I think it's time to look back and evaluate my experience so far.
If you've been reading my blog at all, you'll probably know that I have been enjoying the internship very much. The people I work with and the general staff (including senators) are all quite friendly and make me feel welcome in the organization. Besides being fun, so far I've learned a good amount more than I knew prior to my internship. Current affairs are much more prominent in my life these days as well as state affairs, in particular the state of Arizona. There are a lot more things on my intellectual radar that I'm aware of, and I feel more well-rounded and informed because of it.
Obviously another perk to the position is the insider experience that I obtain. This happens mainly through my dealings during Democratic Caucus and Floor session. It's good to see the political process at work, voting on bills, nominating candidates, sharing different opinions, and discussing issues that impact the great state of Arizona. Getting to see it all at work provides me with a much better understanding, an education that probably can't be replicated in a classroom. That in itself is a big deal to me.
As the title states, so far so good. I feel lucky to have such a unique position working in government, even if I'm only a page. I'll continue on and post more about what I learn and the experiences I have at the Senate.
If you've been reading my blog at all, you'll probably know that I have been enjoying the internship very much. The people I work with and the general staff (including senators) are all quite friendly and make me feel welcome in the organization. Besides being fun, so far I've learned a good amount more than I knew prior to my internship. Current affairs are much more prominent in my life these days as well as state affairs, in particular the state of Arizona. There are a lot more things on my intellectual radar that I'm aware of, and I feel more well-rounded and informed because of it.
Obviously another perk to the position is the insider experience that I obtain. This happens mainly through my dealings during Democratic Caucus and Floor session. It's good to see the political process at work, voting on bills, nominating candidates, sharing different opinions, and discussing issues that impact the great state of Arizona. Getting to see it all at work provides me with a much better understanding, an education that probably can't be replicated in a classroom. That in itself is a big deal to me.
As the title states, so far so good. I feel lucky to have such a unique position working in government, even if I'm only a page. I'll continue on and post more about what I learn and the experiences I have at the Senate.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Statehood Day!
Today happens to mark the 100 year mark of Arizona's statehood, and I'm quite lucky to be working during all of the festivities. Outside the Senate building there's a huge stage for presenting honors and later Wayne Newton will be performing to honor the centennial (prior to today I had no idea who that was). There is food out on the lawn and all of the Senators appear to be in relatively high spirits. There has even been debate of skipping floor session so everyone can enjoy the party, unfortunately that's not gonna happen. Still, there is a certain happiness about the office today, after all the centennial is a pretty big deal. It's a big stage for one of the nation's youngest states.
I just got out of Dem. Caucus and it was business as usual during the weekly meet, but after caucus was concluded everyone was stoked to go outside and see what was happening. Each week continues to go well here at the Arizona Senate.
I just got out of Dem. Caucus and it was business as usual during the weekly meet, but after caucus was concluded everyone was stoked to go outside and see what was happening. Each week continues to go well here at the Arizona Senate.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Personal Post 2 - Music
If there is one thing I value almost as much as movies, it's music. Music has had a profound influence on my life ever since I was young. I don't play an instrument or anything, but I have great admiration for those who do. Music is an art form, and being able to portray emotions through sound is truly great in my opinion. It doesn't apply to just one genre of music either, every genre has unique features that appeal to a variety of listeners, whether it's rap/hip hop, alternative rock, jazz, soul, you name it.
I like all kinds of genres (with the exception of country and death metal) and each one appeals to certain moods I'm in. My favorite artist is probably Kanye West, who has some of the best and most original music out there. I also like Drake and Eminem while we're on the "hip hop" topic. However I appreciate other forms of music as well. Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay, Anthony Hamilton, are all amongst my favorites.
What I appreciate about music, is it's ability to make you feel. Whether it's excitement or just plain calmness, it plays a vital role in our society, and will continue to do so well into the future. It's a very important part of my life.
I like all kinds of genres (with the exception of country and death metal) and each one appeals to certain moods I'm in. My favorite artist is probably Kanye West, who has some of the best and most original music out there. I also like Drake and Eminem while we're on the "hip hop" topic. However I appreciate other forms of music as well. Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay, Anthony Hamilton, are all amongst my favorites.
What I appreciate about music, is it's ability to make you feel. Whether it's excitement or just plain calmness, it plays a vital role in our society, and will continue to do so well into the future. It's a very important part of my life.
Loving the job!I
I never thought, in a hundred years, I would wake up for work and be excited to go. I'm finding more and more, that I'm enjoying going to work thanks to the people I work with and the environment that I work in. It's great to wake up, come to work, grab coffee and prepare for the day. It's surprising because to most this would sound boring but for some reason I don't mind it.
Like I've said before, it's a great learning experience. What makes it better is that I want to learn and that's what drives the experience. I can't help but feel like this is really preparing me for my future career in terms of connections, workplace etiquette, and a the general process. Because of this, I'm feeling more and more confident in my decision to major in public service/public policy.
The only thing that isn't so great is getting up at 5:30am, which is a real bummer! Other than that, I'm thoroughly enjoying my time working for the Arizona State Senate.
Like I've said before, it's a great learning experience. What makes it better is that I want to learn and that's what drives the experience. I can't help but feel like this is really preparing me for my future career in terms of connections, workplace etiquette, and a the general process. Because of this, I'm feeling more and more confident in my decision to major in public service/public policy.
The only thing that isn't so great is getting up at 5:30am, which is a real bummer! Other than that, I'm thoroughly enjoying my time working for the Arizona State Senate.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Personal Post 1 - Movie Addict
If there is anything that people should know about me, is that I'm a movie addict. Ever since I was a kid I've grown up watching movies. You could say that it runs in the family, my mother, father, and sister are all movie-aholics and that has definitely impacted me. I'm that guy who sees about 70% of the movies that are nominated at the academy awards, and the remaining 30% I didn't see get watched almost immediately after the ceremony.
I like all genres, so it's tough to truly pick a favorite. If I had to choose though, the drama/suspense category would be up there. I love movies like Training Day, The Departed, Goodfellas, No Country for Old Men, and Eastern Promises just to name a few. This isn't to say that I don't love other genres just as equally. For example, my favorite movie of all time is a tie between The Matrix and The Dark Knight. After those two films, the line gets blurred and it becomes extremely difficult to pick favorites in order (Lord of the Rings?! Forrest Gump?!).
As far as the past year is concerned, it's been a decent year for films. The two films that stand out the most to me in the past year are 50/50, The Decedents, and especially The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. All three were fantastic and I highly recommend them if you're into movies. Despite my love for movies, I do have other hobbies I swear! Football, basketball, and baseball are all huge in my world as well as music, which has really influenced me. That'll be for next time though. Bye for now!
I like all genres, so it's tough to truly pick a favorite. If I had to choose though, the drama/suspense category would be up there. I love movies like Training Day, The Departed, Goodfellas, No Country for Old Men, and Eastern Promises just to name a few. This isn't to say that I don't love other genres just as equally. For example, my favorite movie of all time is a tie between The Matrix and The Dark Knight. After those two films, the line gets blurred and it becomes extremely difficult to pick favorites in order (Lord of the Rings?! Forrest Gump?!).
As far as the past year is concerned, it's been a decent year for films. The two films that stand out the most to me in the past year are 50/50, The Decedents, and especially The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. All three were fantastic and I highly recommend them if you're into movies. Despite my love for movies, I do have other hobbies I swear! Football, basketball, and baseball are all huge in my world as well as music, which has really influenced me. That'll be for next time though. Bye for now!
Talking Politics
One thing I've picked up since I've been here is an increased awareness of current affairs. Even better, I've learned how to articulate what I've learned better than I ever could before. Last shift I talked with the lead page, Sean, about the South Carolina debates. We discussed Newt Gingrich's answer regarding the "media" question.
Just today a group of us early risers talked about issues regarding border control laws. It was basically conservative vs. liberal viewpoints, so it was interesting. A big topic of interest around here these days is Obama's recent State of the Union address, also a source of debate between liberals and conservatives. Being more of an Obama supporter, I enjoyed the speech thoroughly. Many of my co-workers however, disagreed.
Since I've started up my internship, I've gotten into the habit of getting up early and watching news (msnbc, CNN). This has drastically helped me understand and interpret what's happening not only in Arizona, but nationwide and globally. So far I have really enjoyed my time at the Senate, and I'm feeling much more knowledgeable and comfortable as my internship continues.
Just today a group of us early risers talked about issues regarding border control laws. It was basically conservative vs. liberal viewpoints, so it was interesting. A big topic of interest around here these days is Obama's recent State of the Union address, also a source of debate between liberals and conservatives. Being more of an Obama supporter, I enjoyed the speech thoroughly. Many of my co-workers however, disagreed.
Since I've started up my internship, I've gotten into the habit of getting up early and watching news (msnbc, CNN). This has drastically helped me understand and interpret what's happening not only in Arizona, but nationwide and globally. So far I have really enjoyed my time at the Senate, and I'm feeling much more knowledgeable and comfortable as my internship continues.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Getting in the rhythm
The more and more time that I spend at the Senate, the more I learn. I've noticed that things are getting more serious as session goes along, today was one of the first official days where bills were passed on the floor. One bill I found particularly interesting was the new "bath salts" bill, which declares certain kinds of bath salts as a harmful drug. Every bill proposed was unanimously accepted by most senators, with few individual statements. I have comfortably settled into my work here, and I'm getting to know everyone better and better with every day that passes. The last few shifts have been pretty laid-back, but my supervisor informs me that as session goes on it will get crazier and everyone will need to be on their toes. I don't view that as a bad thing, I view it as a good opportunity to learn more here at the Senate.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Yesterday I had my second official shift working at the Senate. It was significantly more relaxed than it had been during the ethics committee. That being said, it still wasn't easy. Besides having to wake up excruciatingly early to get there at 7:00am, at 8:30 Zahra (a fellow intern) and I began to set up for the democratic caucus. It was the second official day of session, so things were pretty slow at first but it was still a valuable learning experience. I got to see how a party caucus worked from up close. There were only 8 members there, including Senator Taylor, Senator Jackson, Senator Aboud and Senator Bedford, to name a few.This wasn't surprising being as the majority of AZ Senators are Republican. Regardless, it moved along at a quick enough pace and we all introduced ourselves at the beginning. There were only three bills to discuss on the agenda, and most of them just got postponed until the next week. What WAS talked about, was Republican Senator Bundgaard's resignation in light of charges brought against him. The democrats in the caucus talked about proper conduct and laws regarding domestic violence, making it apparent they were glad about Bundgaard's departure. After the caucus ended, the rest of the day was pretty normal. I did tasks for Senators, filed documents, helped move furniture, and picked up mail. I am definitely starting to get a grasp of my routine duties as a Page, and as time goes on I'll continue to learn more and more about life in government.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
First day on the job
On Thursday, January 5th, I officially started my job/internship working at the Arizona State Senate. It was a hectic day to say the least. Due to a sudden ethics committee being scheduled for that morning I had to do a lot of on-the-job training. Every other new intern came in the day before me, I was the only one that got the special treatment of training during the ethics committee. It went well though, I met many Senators such as Senator Lewis and Senator Sinema. A lot of the tasks I performed required me answering phone calls, and running errands around the Senate building. For example, I sorted mail, collected mail, cleaned out offices, and transported items and books to the lower levels of the building. Eventually I got to make my way over to the old capital building as well as the House of Representatives. As the day went on I learned more and more from my supervisor Jenna Lyon and the senior pages at work. What I learned most on my first day was proper etiquette and the basic way the pages work in this environment. I was also pleasantly surprised that everyone at the Senate was quite friendly. Everybody seemed to be in good spirits, Senators and secretaries alike. My first day definitely went well, and I look forward to learning more this coming Tuesday.
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