Noah Haines, Class of 2020,
Field Organizer: Amy McGrath Senate Campaign
Double Major: CLEG and Economics
Who am I?
Hi Leadership Family!! My name is Noah Haines, and I am a recent AU – SPA Leadership graduate in the class of 2020. At AU, I was a three-year student in the Politics, Policy, and Law scholars program. SPA Leadership was the highlight of my college experience, and my home away from home for three years!! Originally, I am from Wilmington, DE before moving to D.C. for undergrad.
What were you involved with in undergrad?
SPA Leadership Program: Co-Student Director – 2019-2020, First-Year TA – 2018-2019
AU Hillel: Holocaust Remembrance Week Chair – 2019-2020
Starting from graduation, what’s your career path thus far? What did your job search process look like?
After graduating from AU this past May, I knew that I wanted to get involved and work on a political campaign until November 2020. To start my job process I had a meeting with my former boss at the Democratic Governors Association, where I interned last fall. My boss told me that to begin my career in campaigns with an entry position, I would start as a campaign organizer. I then applied to numerous campaigns across the country to be an organizer, and heard back first from the McGrath campaign in Kentucky, that also offered me supporter housing.
What do you do in your job?
Coordinate with campaign volunteers to help with virtual canvassing of voters, and increase candidate visibility. I also help plan events for the candidate, as she travels across the state talking to voters in every county.
How has the leadership program prepared you for your current role?
The SPA Leadership Program not only provided me amazing friends and three incredible buddies: Katherine, Kevin, and Berkem, but it also prepared me to think creatively and grow in public speaking. In the final months and weeks of a campaign when things are extremely stressful, Leadership has allowed me to manage my time, be outspoken, and develop a final month strategy to win on Election Night. Aside from that, Leadership’s career development workshops also helped me narrow down my interests for post-graduation plans.
What’s a message you have for current students?
What you put into SPA Leadership is what you will get out of SPA Leadership. With that in mind, when completing your first and second year social action projects, as well as your capstone, dream big!! Even in the middle of a pandemic, take advantage of the fact that D.C. is in your backyard, and because of this program, you have the opportunity to explore and get to know various local leaders and organizations in public service. Also, never be afraid of reaching out to your Student Directors and Steering Committee, letting them know that you want to get involved in this program directly. SPA Leadership gives you the basis for making a difference in your community with social action projects, so take advantage and always push yourself to think creatively.
Working with Noelle last year as Co-Student Director taught me so much about working as a team. This program and its mission is all about being able to work with others: students and faculty. Get to know everyone in this program, because people in SPA Leadership are some of the best people at AU!!!
You can also reach Noah at nh0528a@student.american.edu, on Twitter @realnoahhaines, and on Instagram youdontevennoah_.