Where the Jobs Are: Politics and Campaigns
Becoming a political professional...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
6 - 7:30 p.m., Eliot 314
Nosh provided

In this panel we explore the myriad possibilities available to you in the political arena other than running for elective office. We are joined by three Reedies and one community professional, and several special guests. The panel is hosted, as always, by Tom Nelson. Join us!

Panelist bios

Michael Burdick '99, Staff to Oregon State Treasurer, Ben Westlund
Nearly a decade ago, Michael Burdick completed his Reed thesis on The effect of prototyping on anticipation, interpretation, and enjoyment of music, and graduated with a degree in Psychology. It took a couple years of exploring before he decided where Michael wanted his career to go. His succession from student to Policy Assistant to Oregon's State Treasurer was the result of "a calculated campaign" to succeed in politics and public service in Oregon.

After four years using his psychology and research training to do evaluation of government programs in the energy and energy efficiency fields, Michael sought opportunity in other areas of public policy. His networking efforts in party politics led first to an internship on the Measure 50 campaign to use tobacco settlement funds to support children's health programs, and later to an internship on a primary campaign in the 2008 Oregon Attorney General race. Michael parlayed that opportunity into a legislative assistant position with the unsuccessful candidate, State Representative Greg McPherson.

Michael's continued networking and volunteering at political events eventually led to a fundraising job on the successful Westlund for State Treasurer campaign, and then to a temporary Legislative Assistant job in the new Treasurer's office. After the 2008-2009 legislative session, Michael was offered his present position as Policy Assistant to the State Treasurer, where he tracks legislative activity and researches issues and policies that affect the Office of the State Treasurer.

Caitlin Baggott ’99, PolitiCorps
Caitlin Baggott is a director and co-founder of the Bus Project, a "democracy non-profit" that engages new and young people as volunteers in politics. Caitlin's work has focused on leadership development and civic volunteerism. She helped launch and now runs the Bus Project's national leadership training program, PolitiCorps, which teaches college students about organizing skills and habits of leadership. Her background includes several years working with homeless and incarcerated youth, teaching creative writing and arts in low-income schools and managing a study-abroad program.

Caitlin has worked as a freelance writer, an editor with Portland Monthly Magazine, a political consultant, and a graphic designer. She serves on the boards of Oregon Voice, a new group creating innovative collaborations between civic engagement organizations in Oregon, and Bitch Media, a non-profit media outlet that provides a feminist analysis of pop culture.

Karol Collymore, Staff to Multnomah County Commissioner, Jeff Cogen
Karol Collymore started in politics at age 21 and has made public service her career. She  currently serves as Communication and Special Projects Manager for Multnomah County Commissioner, Jeff Cogen and was recently a nominee for appointment to the Oregon House District 43 seat vacated by Rep. Chip Shields and the Oregon Senate seat vacated by Senator Avel Gordly.                                                                                              

A relative newcomer to Oregon, Karol has more than a decade of real experience in local, state and national politics and policy-making.  She has worked in the trenches as African American outreach coordinator for the Gore/Lieberman 2000 presidential campaign in New Mexico, then as deputy director of that state’s Democratic Party. She was development coordinator for Richard Romero for Congress in 2002 and served as a bill analyst at the New Mexico state capitol.

Since moving to Oregon in 2003 Karol has worked as Finance Director on the Judge Virginia Linder for Oregon Supreme Court campaign as well as for NARAL Pro Choice Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Derek Bradley ’06, Staff to Oregon State Representative Greg Matthews
Derek Bradley is Legislative Assistant to Oregon State Representative Greg Matthews and served as field director of the election campaign in which Matthews unseated the longest-serving Republican incumbent seeking re-election in the 2008 contest.  His responsibilities as legislative assistant include helping Representative Matthews with fundraising and his reelection efforts; managing Greg’s time and working with him on bill concepts for the upcoming February special session and beyond; planning and managing meetings and events; supervising volunteers and canvassers; and writing press releases.

Derek previously served as legislative assistant to Oregon House Majority Leader, Mary Nolan during her transition to majority leader. In that capacity he maintained accounting records, managed constituent services and researched bills for the majority caucus staff.

Since graduating from Reed College in 2006, Derek has also interned as a field organizer for the successful John Kroger for State of Oregon Attorney General campaign, recruited for the non-profit Progressive Future organization and performed fundraising and event management functions for the Libertarian Party of Oregon.