Weekly Meet & Greet for 2020 KAGC Congressional Fellowship: Darwin Pham (DCCC) on June 25

🙋 ICYMI: The first in the weekly meet & greet for the 2020 KAGC Congressional Fellowship with Darwin Pham on June 25 🧏‍♂️Darwin Pham serves as the Deputy National Press Secretary and AAPI Media Advisor for the Democratic Congressional Campaign CommitteeQ: What is it like to be an Asian American in a field that AAPIs do not typically pursue?A: Coming from California, I didn’t really “feel” my race and ethnicity until I came to Washington, DC. Not many people here have that shared experience of growing up Asian American, since it is a small community. So microaggressions are real and that exists both in the workplace and out in social spaces.It wasn't easy getting used to being often the one of the few or, sometimes, lone Asian American in a room, but "you have to be assertive and take up your space…because if you don't speak up for yourself and for your community, no one else will. Don't forget that we add value by existing in this space – providing a perspective and way of problem solving unique to you. Don't feel intimidated to own it, be visible, and be vocal."Q: What made you fall in love with communications and speechwriting?A: I wanted to be a lawyer for most of my life, but working in the 2012 Obama campaign with the speechwriting team was what got me thinking there might be something better out there that uses those same skills. Instead of arguing a case in court you are making a case to voters in the court of public opinion – persuading and engaging folks to come together towards a common cause, that’s magic. But Everyone's journey is different, but no matter what you do, always be purposeful.Q: What are some differences between working on a campaign and working in an elected office?A: They are both very fast-paced environments in very different ways. On the Hill, the focus is serving your constituents and making decisions on policy and legislation based on how it impacts those whom you serve. That means fighting for your district’s priorities thru making decisions on legislation/policy and providing services to those in your district – like helping someone get their VA benefits or help navigating another federal agency.On campaigns, the goal is to win and make your case to the voters on your campaign’s vision for what you hope to accomplish if elected. So it is very much like building and growing a start-up. You are raising money and building out an operation to sell that vision to voters, and growing it out very quickly. So it requires you to be scrappy and think on your feet.Q: How do you go about networking and finding mentors?A: Don't be afraid to ask for coffee meetups. No one does the job alone. If you see someone you might learn something from, don't hesitate to reach out to them and introduce yourself. When you ask for coffee, you have to have very few clear (1 or 2), specific asks. In meeting someone, at the very least, ask for connections to other people you can potentially learn from. Make sure you leave a coffee with a contact for another coffee.Q: How do you strike the balance between your work and personal life?A: This line of work tires everyone, because there is always so much you have to keep track of. Learn to anticipate. Think three to five steps ahead – whether that is what you think your boss will need or how a situation plays out. You can then better manage your time since you did a lot of work ahead of time.

Posted by Korean American Grassroots Conference – KAGC on Friday, July 3, 2020

Weekly Meet & Greet for 2020 KAGC Congressional Fellowship: LTC Jayme Hansen (U.S. Army) on July 2nd

#2 of this summer's Congressional Fellowship weekly meeting just finished. Thanks for joining us before kicking off a happy Fourth! Have fun and stay safe this weekend. More information on next week's meeting after the holidays!

Posted by Korean American Grassroots Conference – KAGC on Thursday, July 2, 2020

Weekly Meet & Greet for 2020 KAGC Congressional Fellowship: Congressional Korean American Staff Association on July 16

The fourth meeting in the weekly meet & greet of the 2020 KAGC Congressional Fellowship featured those leading Congressional Korean American Staff Association: Kellie Chong, Michael Ahn, and Justin Oh.Join us in every Thursday evening for an opportunity for advice and guidance from role models in public service—and for much-needed social interactions from the comfort of your home 😁

Posted by Korean American Grassroots Conference – KAGC on Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Weekly Meet & Greet for 2020 KAGC Congressional Fellowship: Grace Jang on July 23

On July 23, we were joined by Ms. Grace Jang who serves as the communications director on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. She shared with our students her first-hand account on the change in the Korean American community over the years and her career in the media and politics—and how everything we do in our daily lives can be a form of public service.

Posted by Korean American Grassroots Conference – KAGC on Tuesday, July 28, 2020