Name/class year:
Ashlee Rich '05
Major: Political Science
Minor: Spanish
Employment: Polling Director, Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
City: New York City
College Involvements: Kappa Kappa Gamma, Panhellenic Council
How She Helps Allegheny:
GatorLocator.org online mentor
Her Advice to Students:
Prepare a résumé and meet with a career advisor in ACCEL during your senior year.
Ashlee Rich is making her mark on the world of politics. After working for the Republican National Committee during the 2006 election cycle, she accepted a position at Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign headquarters in New York City.
As polling director, Rich coordinated research efforts and analyzed data from testing and polls. She credits Allegheny with teaching her the skills needed for her career. In particular, the College's participation requirements taught her to express her opinions while respecting the ideas of others. "Colleagues and superiors will appreciate you for not being afraid to have a voice, whether it comes to discussing work issues or asking for more responsibility," she says.
For students pursuing a career immediately after graduation, Rich recommends preparing a résumé and meeting with an advisor in ACCEL. She also stresses the importance of networking, both during and after the job search. "Once you get your first job, it's important to not only do good work, but to make contacts along the way," she says.
Rich majored in political science at Allegheny, a focus she is now living every day. She lists four qualities essential to working in her field: responsibility, organization, a good work ethic, and passion. "Politics is a crazy business and certainly not for those only interested in job security," she says. "The ability to roll with the punches is an important.
The First Five is a series of profiles celebrating the accomplishments of recent Allegheny College graduates in their first five years as alumni. Read more First Five profiles here.
