As a political science major who was neither interested in law school nor adept at door knocking, you would think that I would have difficulty finding a role in my chosen field. However, I am now the Director of Member Relations and Communications for the Missouri Grocers Association, a state-wide trade association for the grocery industry in Missouri. In this role I find myself working with businesses across Missouri to not only promote the grocery industry in our state, but also to inform government on the issues that affect the large grocery chains you find in St. Louis, Kansas City, and SW Missouri, as well as the local, family-owned stores you shop at in your rural hometown. My degrees from Missouri State prepared me not only for the government relations aspect of my job, though. They also enabled me to handle the organizational and communications side related to interacting with a board of directors and attempting to inspire our members to engage in what we are trying to accomplish as an association.
Three experiences at Missouri State have so far defined my early career. The first was Missouri State’s Student Government Association, which I learned of due to being a political science major. It was by interacting with hard working individuals in SGA that I met many of my peers who now also work in government at different levels. It was ultimately through connections I formed in SGA that led me to where I am now.
The second experience was as an intern through the Legislative Internship Program, in which I had the opportunity to apply my academic knowledge to the actual legislative process. I learned not only from the state representative I was placed with, but also the legislative assistants, lobbyists, and staff that I had the pleasure of meeting. It was through my legislative internship that I gained an understanding of how Missouri politics operate and Jefferson City runs, which has been invaluable to my career.
Finally, I earned my second degree at Missouri State in December of 2014 through the accelerated Masters of Public Administration program. This deepened my knowledge of public policy and the issues that face our state and nation, and gave me applicable abilities to analyze policies and legislation. Perhaps most importantly, it allowed me to find an academic mentor who invested in my learning and instilled in me many of the ideals that I hope to live by as my career progresses in the future.