Research Director, Joint Committee On Transportation, Massachusetts House Of Representatives 

How did you get your current job?
Referral from a coworker

What was the application process?
Resume and interview and personal and professional references

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes. I had a screening interview and then an interview with the legislator one-on-one.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
Why do you think you are the best candidate for the job? How would you handle an emergency on the job? How would you handle a press call on the emergency? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I think there is a lot of benefit to learning as you go. I don’t know how much you can be prepared to deal with crisis type current events but the more experience you have, the better you get at dealing with things. Learning from coworkers and learning from experience is the best training you can receive.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Not really. There is new hire orientation when you enter the building, which is helpful and then you basically learn as you go.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
I think learning how to become a good writer and how to properly manage your time are invaluable skills. Having had to write 3 theses made me well versed in both time management and writing skills and for that, I’m grateful.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
n/a

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
It is an advantage to have a college degree, if not also a Master’s degree or law degree. I would not underestimate the power of networking. Many of my coworkers have gotten a job by first working as an intern.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
I think impeccable social skills are key. You have to be confident in your position and yourself and have professionalism when interacting with others. Computer knowledge is an asset. It helps to be detail-oriented and organized, and to be proactive.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Not necessarily, but the more education you receive, the better in my opinion.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Be brave and be careful. It’s politics so you always have to monitor what you say and to whom you share information. If you write an email, there’s a record forever. If you pose for a photo, there’s a record forever. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes it’s not, so be polite but never reveal too much. Stay true to your promises, be dependable. People will remember you in a good way if you are true to your word and follow through.