Andrea “Nikki” Harlin, (B.A. 2014, M.F.A. 2016) Field Representative, Congressman Pete Aguilar District Office
Andrea “Nikki” Harlin, (B.A. 2014, M.F.A. 2016)
Field Representative, Congressman Pete Aguilar District Office
Andrea (“Nikki”) Harlin works for an elected official. She is a field representative for the District Office of Congressman Pete Aguilar, the U.S. Representative for the 31st Congressional District of California.
As a field representative, Nikki coordinates public events on job development, small businesses, and federal grant opportunities. She oversees, for example, an annual local job fair, something she finds especially gratifying: “When you see someone leave a job fair with an interview scheduled or a new job, you really feel like you are helping people.”
Nikki has two degrees from CSUSB: a B.A. in English (Creative Writing Track, 2014) and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Poetry Concentration, 2016). As an English student, she says, she “learned how to approach and tackle complicated texts,” skills she now uses to “analyze pieces of legislation, understand project narratives, and prepare official documents.”
While she was a student, Nikki also emceed open-mic events for the Pacific Review reading series, an experience that built her confidence for the public speaking she does now in her job. She in turn encourages students to get involved on campus by volunteering with the Office of Community Engagement, going to a conference, participating in a study abroad program, or taking a class outside the English major.
To those who want a career like hers in the public sector, Nikki underscores this advice: Pursue an internship. An internship led to her own position, and “it’s a great way to gain professional experience, enhance your resume,” and learn more about areas that interest you. Even if the internship is unpaid, Nikki emphasizes, “it is still a job and you should take it seriously.” Doing so could reap serious benefits: “You may love it, and they may have an opening and give you a call.”