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"I was very excited to read the letter you sent out asking a few alums to account for their time away from Smith and how we have put our American Studies major to the test. I can say without hesitation that I use the skills and approach to thinking that I learned as an American Studies major every day. The key resource of this major is the ability to take any aspect of culture -- from advertising to fine art, letters to technology -- and use it as a means to better understand a society or region. I have used this skill to better hone my political instincts and I owe this ability to the detailed-oriented, critical thinking of the American Studies program. I thought I should also provide you with an abbreviated account of my life since graduation. As you know, I followed one of my thesis subjects (better known as Jane Harman) to California in order to work on her bid for governor. Unfortunately, she did not make it through the primary and I was stuck. Fortunately, there was a position open on Senator Feinstein's Judiciary Subcommittee for me and I packed up my car and road-tripped to Washington, D.C. I worked on a variety of judiciary issues from intellectual property issues to crime policy. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed the people I worked with, but when approached by the Treasury Department, I decided to jump ship. For the past six months I have worked as a Special Assistant/Legislative Analyst for the Department's Office of Legislative Affairs. My work was specifically on the Financial Services Modernization Bill, which has been percolating on the hill for about 20 years. The conference report was just passed last week by the House and Senate and is now waiting for the President's signature. The bill is called the most significant banking reform in decades because it repeals Glass-Steagall (basically it strikes fear in the heart of the Ralph Naders of the world). This was an extraordinary experience because I was able to be in the back rooms where the real deals were struck. About two weeks ago I was given a promotion so now my title will be Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs. In this capacity, I will oversee the office and keep tabs on a number of legislative issues of interest to the Department." |
