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Career Center (CC): What is your current position?

Ian Barlow (IB): I work for a member of the State Legislature. I am Assemblywoman Aroner's field representative for all issues within Alameda County.

CC: What are your main job responsibilities?

IB: My main job responsibilities are to serve as a liaison between organizations and individuals within the district and the Assemblywoman. Oftentimes, I am the "eyes and ears" of the Assemblywoman when she is not in the district and I represent her at district events and meetings.

CC: What prepared you for this position?

IB: The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs played a significant role in preparing me for this position. The Coro Fellowship was helpful for developing my inquiry skills and learning to work with others in a professional environment. Coro taught me to question my assumptions constantly and to work to develop consensus, while still being able to advocate a particular position. I find these skills to be crucial in my day-to-day work.

CC: What other experiences/training were important in getting you where you are in your career?

IB: My experiences interning in other elected officials' offices as well as the University of California - Washington DC Program were also very helpful. The UC-DC Program provided keen insight into many of the issues which I work on for the Assemblywoman.

Also, my coursework in the Political Science and Rhetoric Departments was critical in developing many of the skills and opinions that inform my work with the Assemblywoman.

CC: What do you like about your work?

IB: I am incredibly grateful to be able to do work on behalf of communities that are disadvantaged - particularly low-income families and people with disabilities. I am thankful to be able to go to a job every day that provides opportunities to work on issues that I care deeply about, as well as continually learn about new issues. I also appreciate being able to work for someone who I respect and from whom I can learn.

CC: What are some drawbacks?

IB: There are times when results do not come as quickly as you want them. It is sometimes difficult to navigate bureaucracy and compel agencies to be as responsive as they should be. It is also difficult to help people when laws are not necessarily working in their favor, or when particular laws that could potentially help or protect a constituent simply do not exist.

CC: Do you have any tips regarding what Cal undergraduates can do to prepare for a career in politics?

IB: Don't wait to get started:

• Gain experience through interning and working on political campaigns; stay on top of what is happening in your local community.
• Follow elected officials whose style and work you admire.
• Think of how you would improve the community around you, what issues are important to you, and how you might influence change in that direction.
• Once you identify those issues, locate organizations that are already doing that work, get to know the people involved in that work, and volunteer or work with that organization.
• Conduct informational interviews with elected officials and staff in organizations that are doing work in issue-areas in which you are interested or about which you are passionate.

Additional Resources

ITEM 1

Politics, Political Parties, Legislative Branch (Federal and State)

Career Fields - Government

CalJobs - Keyword search "politics" or geographic search "Washington DC"

What Can I Do with a Major in Political Science

What Can I Do with a Major in Rhetoric