Call her a member of the Civic Generation.
Eastern Connecticut State University student Olivia Puckett, a political science major from Columbia, CT, has a deep interest in public service and government — one that has propelled her throughout her undergraduate career.
Olivia’s commitment to public service actually began before she stepped onto Eastern’s campus. She is among the few Girl Scouts in the United States who has attained the highest rank of Gold Award, a feat she achieved as the culmination of many years of work on a community service project that encompassed organizational, leadership and networking skills in her town government office.
As a college freshman, Olivia joined AmeriCorps and fulfilled a one-year stint, serving as a recruiter of Girl Scout leaders in the region. During her sophomore year, she interviewed with representatives from the Eastern Connecticut District Social Security Office and was offered a federal summer internship, where she learned about the federal programs and services offered to citizens.
During the spring semester of her junior year, Olivia worked at the Connecticut State Capitol as an intern for State Representative Selim Noujaim of Waterbury. She attended high-level meetings and public hearings, spoke with state departments and agencies, handled constituent issues, and summarized proposed legislation. She single-handedly planned a government fair and exposition that included 29 state and municipal agencies. The internship, which was set up by Eastern’s Office of Career Services, gave Olivia an in-depth understanding of the legislative process and prepared her for a career in government.
“I’m interested in the legislative process and policy-making at all levels of government,” said Olivia. “Gaining understanding of our legislative process and witnessing firsthand the depth and breadth of our state government is crucial. I learned that the citizens in each district are heard and helped by their representatives. I learned that building relationships, hard work, leadership, commitment and networking are key aspects of success in politics.”
After graduation, Olivia plans to attend law school and work in a government policy-making capacity.
