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Trista Lay

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Bio

I am currently a graduate student of legislative affairs at George Washington University in the Graduate School of Political Management. I intend to intern in U.S. Congress for fall 2022 and aspire to one day be a Chief of Staff for a Member of Congress. Such a role will enable me to have an active input in new policies from the Members of Congress in the Democratic Party. I aspire to have a career in politics because I believe strongly in the ability to change lives through the political arena. Those who show up are the ones who have the ability to make change, be it good or bad. In order to ensure that the country is headed towards a future of equality and social justice, it is important for everyone who wishes to have a positive impact on the country show up to the table. In my lifetime, I aim to live a financially independent life with the ability to pursue my interests and live comfortably in Washington D.C. As I pursue my career goals, I want to eventually help my mother retire and allow my family more comfort in their finances. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and a single mother, and in the event that her cancer one day returns, I want her to know that she will not have to worry about bills that time around.

Education

George Washington University

Master's degree program
2021 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Political Science and Government

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Bachelor's degree program
2018 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Political Science and Government
  • GPA:
    3.7

Pellissippi State Community College

Associate's degree program
2015 - 2018
  • Majors:
    • Philosophy
  • GPA:
    3

Hardin Valley Academy

High School
2011 - 2015
  • GPA:
    2.8

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Public Policy

    • Dream career goals:

      Chief of Staff in U.S. Congress

    • Intern

      Park Street Strategies
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Courtesy Clerk

      Kroger
      2014 – 2014
    • Processor

      KARM Thrift Store
      2015 – 2015
    • FOH Associate

      McAlister's Deli
      2018 – 20191 year

    Sports

    Tennis

    Intramural
    2018 – 20202 years

    Research

    • Political Science and Government

      University of Tennessee — Assisted research professor by analyzing political TV advertisements and determining whether they were positive or negative ads
      2019 – 2019

    Arts

    • Oak Ridge Academy of Dance

      Ballet
      2003 – 2009

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Christopher Hale for U.S. Congress — Initiated phone banks and text banks in order to garner support, volunteers and votes for the congressional candidate
      2020 – 2020
    • Volunteering

      Phil Bredesen for U.S. Senate — Canvassed local neighborhoods and initiated phone calls to encourage voters to support, volunteer, and vote for the senatorial candidate
      2018 – 2018

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    "Wise Words" Scholarship
    In the John Steinbeck book The Winter of Our Discontent, a character states, “I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen.” This John Steinbeck quote is particularly special to me because it reminds me that I can never truly know a person. I can go through life with a person I love and cherish, and I will sympathize with them when they struggle through life, but I can never truly know what it is like to be them as a person. There is so much more to a person than just what they reveal of themselves, so many different components that make up who they are. In this regard, the quote means to me that one should always try to be considerate of others. Instead of thinking that we know everything there is to know about a person, one should always try to understand who they are as a person and the reason why they might say or do something. Everyone is fighting a battle on some level, and it is important to remember how our words and actions might affect those we surround ourselves with. Even when we believe that a word or action might not be harmful, it will likely have an entirely different interpretation by someone with different life experiences.