|
|
| |
| |
Tamara Chao is one of this year’s 2007-2008 Dutko Fellows, working at the Center for American Progress (CAP) with Visiting Fellow Shirley Sagawa on issues of national service. At CAP, she researches the use of service as a tool in domestic policy to affect poverty, rural development, immigration and education. She has also had the opportunity to work William Schulz, former head of Amnesty International on human rights based research and the 2008 presidential election.
At Tufts, Tamara majored in International Relations with a focus on conflict, cooperation and justice. She was director of the Writing Fellows Program through the Academic Resource Center, director of Spirit of Color performing arts troupe and an active member of the Tufts Initiative for Leadership and International Perspective through the Institute for Global Leadership.
Unlike many in the Dutko Fellowship program, I was unsure of whether policy, politics and Washington D.C were really for me. I knew growing up that I wanted to make a difference and that I wanted to have an impact on society, but I was unclear on how -- whether it be from working with an NGO on the ground in a developing nation, as a lawyer championing human rights, or a policy maker who got to focus on “big picture” ideas. In researching the Dutko Fellowship I was drawn more than anything to the potential it held to help me figure out what it was that I wanted to do. It was unique in that it provided an opportunity to be mentored and supported while still having the flexibility to really take advantage of all the intellectual opportunities that abound in D.C.
The opportunity to work with Visiting Fellow Shirley Sagawa at the Center for American Progress has been extremely exciting and challenging and I have had more opportunities than I would have ever imagined as a recent graduate taking her first steps towards a career. The individuals I have been able to work with are truly inspiring and every day I feel like my vision for what I would like to do in the future becomes more defined.
I think the best part of the Fellowship thus far, however, is really the Dutko Family-- Deb and Chris and the alumni who have created such an amazing network and who have given me invaluable advice on how to get the most out of D.C. Although I am only four months into the fellowship, I feel like I have already entered a circle of people that is really unique and special and I feel very lucky to be a Dutko Fellow.
|
|
 |
