Alumna to explore ‘Making it on Capitol Hill – My Journey to the Beginning’ in lecture

Alumna Rachel Skeirik will discuss the professional path she took to the nation’s capital in a lecture, “Making it on Capitol Hill – My Journey to the Beginning,” she will present in Williams Center Room S204 on Monday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Ms. Skeirik, who earned a B.S. in Communication Studies in 2020 with a second major in Politics and International Affairs, currently serves as a staff assistant for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the HELP Committee and a member of the Democratic Leadership.

In her talk, Skeirik will discuss how her experiences at SUNY Fredonia – including course work and service in the student group, the Fredonia Democracy Initiative, among other areas – have helped her to be successful in D.C. politics. In addition to discussing the steps she took to get her current job in Sen. Murray’s office, Skeirik will offer her perspective on what it's like to live in Washington and work inside the beltway that encircles the nation’s capital.

The presentation will conclude with advice on how students can obtain their dream job and a Q&A session. The lecture, sponsored by the American Democracy Project, the departments of Communication and Politics and International Affairs, and the Career Development Office, will be presented virtually. It is open to students, faculty and staff who are invited to gather at the Williams Center.

Skeirik is responsible for office scheduling and correspondence, intern oversight and is the primary point of contact for constituents. Prior to taking this role, she worked as a national press intern with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. During eight months as an intern, Skeirik monitored breaking news events, transcribed floor speeches by Sen. Schumer and attended internal meetings discussing political communication and strategy.

Skeirik also served as a leader to her fellow interns during exceptionally difficult political events such as the Uvalde school shooting and negotiations leading to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Preceding her time with Schumer, Skeirik worked for fellow New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as a press intern. In this role, she regularly corresponded with local news outlets, helped prep for press conferences and tracked public satisfaction with the senator.