Worked for Obama... gulp

[teenmachinery1]

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Members don't see this ad.

I worked for the OBAMA campaign through an organization called Work for Progress.

I live in seattle, but as an assistant director (impressive title but there was about 100 of us), I was flown to Colorado for training and then worked in the swing states of Colorado and Virginia.

I opened, with others, two offices. One in grand junction colorado, and another in pueblo. We trained, hired, fired, went door to door, registered voters, worked 12 hours a day 7 days a week. Um, literally. blah blah.

I don't know how to put this as an activity. I am REALLY hesitant to bring politics into the process but I do believe that this experience has merit enough to bring up. This was a ton of executive experience and I think it shows initiative and dedication blah blah.

I thought about mentioning it without the organization, but then that's fishy. I could be ambiguous in the description for which side i was with but if I mention the organization title "work for progress" then that's a dead giveaway.

wth should I do>?

 

[SN2ed]

I would simply state the facts around your job. Although it shows you're interested in politics and support the Democrats, that doesn't mean that's what you have to write about. Focus on the job description and provide examples of how it demonstrates your leadership skills.

 

[jkurtz02]

That is incredible impressive! I would definitely mention it. You aren't giving your views on a specific heated issues. Yes you are mentioning an opinion in one way, but I don't think any ADCOM would throw you out because of that and how impressive it is overides that, IMO.

 

[Schemp]

I would definitely go with the last option you brought up. Specifically saying that you worked for the Obama campaign doesn't add anything to statement, but saying you worked for "Work For Progress" is probably helpful since it's an official organization. Adcoms shouldn't be interested in your personal politics, but they will be interested to know that you're actively involved in your community and interested in public policy (both of which adcoms are likely to view positively). The amount of time you spent on the campaign and the level at which you participated shows a strong commitment to those ideals.

So yeah, just say you worked on behalf of a presidential candidate for the organization Work For Progress, and explain what you did.

 

[teenmachinery1]

OK, I'm leading towards doing it then because of your guys' input. I don't know though... you can be a mindless obama supporter, really zealous and energetic but without maturity and critical thinking skills you know what I mean?

I just really, really don't want them to get this kind of picture of me. Also, aren't they traditionally conservative? By they I mean older doctors and by extention perhaps adcom committees.

sigh.

 

[teenmachinery1]

I would definitely go with the last option you brought up. Specifically saying that you worked for the Obama campaign doesn't add anything to statement, but saying you worked for "Work For Progress" is probably helpful since it's an official organization. Adcoms shouldn't be interested in your personal politics, but they will be interested to know that you're actively involved in your community and interested in public policy (both of which adcoms are likely to view positively). The amount of time you spent on the campaign and the level at which you participated shows a strong commitment to those ideals.

So yeah, just say you worked on behalf of a presidential candidate for the organization Work For Progress, and explain what you did.

I think I'll do this.

thx.

 

[teenmachinery1]

At least I don't have to deal with whether I should mention that i worked for the aclu.

(i did.)

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Speaking as someone who didn't vote for Obama, I really hope adcoms wouldn't hold your political views against you. The job sounds like worthwhile leadership experience, and it's not like you used your PS to aggressively promote a political viewpoint.

 

[Exalya]

I think you should. I was president of my school's Obama chapter, and I absolutely listed it. I mentioned in my personal statement that I became politically involved because of my husband's deployment to Iraq. I think that if you introduce it tactfully, it can only help your application.

Also, good going. 😉