Since her graduation, Jones has been serving in the legislative branch in Sacramento as part of the California Senate Fellows Program . Jones, who double majored in political science and economics with a minor in psychology, is embracing the opportunity to learn about the entire legislative process.
“Through the fellowship, I have become more familiar with the ways I can better serve communities and be sure that those who are underrepresented have a voice at the table when public policy is being made,” she said. “For example, a bill that I am staffing for my office made it through the Senate Education Committee with a unanimous vote and bipartisan support to provide better protections for students in K-12.”
The California Senate Fellows Program — one of four Capital Fellows Programs offered by Sacramento State University’s Center for California Studies — offers college graduates a paid, full-time legislative staff position in the Capitol for 11 months.
The primary goals of the program include exposing people with diverse life experiences and backgrounds to the legislative process by providing research and other professional staff assistance to the Senate. Jones is working in Senator Robert M. Hertzberg’s office. Hertzberg represents the 18th Senate district in the San Fernando Valley, and Jones is responsible for a wide range of tasks each day.
“My duties as a fellow are equivalent to those of a legislative aide,” she said. “I meet with interest groups, stakeholders and advocates; I staff committees and prepare my senator for committee; I staff bills and have introduced a bill on behalf of my senator; and work on communications as well.”
The policy issues she has focused on include education (both K-12 and higher education), environmental quality, governance and finance, and veterans affairs. Since beginning the fellowship, Jones has been most surprised by the complexity of the decision making process.
(Right) The California Senate Fellows Program offers college graduates a paid, full-time legislative staff position in the Capitol.
“I was under the impression that there were simple fixes to problems,” Jones said. “But I have learned that solutions to problems are not one-size-fits-all and affect people differently — a policy could impact people in the Bay Area very differently from those in the Central Valley.”When the fellowship concludes, Jones hopes to continue working in the Capitol for a few more years before transitioning back to school where she will pursue a joint degree program to earn both a Master of Public Policy and a law degree.
She said the experiences she had during her years at UC Merced have directly benefited her in Sacramento.
“This real-world experience has been immeasurable and will be a great asset once I return to school, and I hope to return to public service and continue to serve my community,” she said. “Being at UC Merced taught me how to be resourceful, how to devise different ways of achieving a goal, how to be a trailblazer and, ultimately, how to fiercely approach all of my endeavors.”
Source: UC Merced
