TFAS Alumni Profile – Mya Roberts ’24

Discover the enriching journey of TFAS alumna Mya Roberts ’24, a political science major from Arizona State University, who discovered a whole new world during her transformative summer in Washington, D.C. As a standout intern at America First Policy Institute, Mya delved into the heart of lobbying and gained hands-on experience that would shape her career path. Living in such a historic city, she found enjoyment in exploring the sites and embracing the heart of American culture. 

πŸŽ“ University: Arizona State University
πŸ“š Major: Political Science
πŸ“ Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
🧭 Program Track: Public Policy + Economics
πŸ’Ό Internship: America First Policy Institute

What was the most interesting thing you did at your internship?

🀡Getting Advice from the West Wing
My internship had me in contact regularly with White House officials from the Trump administration, giving me a unique opportunity to hear stories from their time in the presidential administration and to receive their advice for young professionals aspiring to enter government work. Given the severe nature of my internship, I was beyond excited to discover how involved I could be in the projects. I wrote several op-eds, tracked congressional hearings and created a project presented at the Republican National Convention. The connections and experience I gained at AFPI will be invaluable to my future career.

What did you like most about living in Washington, D.C.?

✨ A Historic City that Ignites Passion and Ambition
Washington, D.C., provided the perfect background for my TFAS experience. Being constantly surrounded by historical landmarks never ceases to instill a sense of gratitude for the continued existence of our great American experiment. Another benefit of the city is its strong focus on occupational opportunity. Never have I been in a place where so much passion and ambition are concentrated in such a small area. The ambition within the district is beyond infectious. Combining these two elements allowed me to view my internship through a greater lens of purpose. Living in the district while learning about its history deepened my appreciation for the opportunities I gained through TFAS.

How did you grow professionally during your time in Washington, D.C.?

🀝 Improved Network = Heightened Confidence
I saw the greatest improvement in my confidence in networking. Initially, I found networking intimidating, but I discovered that the best approach was to start by connecting naturally with people whose work genuinely interested me. From there, I gained enough confidence to expand my networking efforts to include individuals in careers that I wasn’t originally interested in. By the end of the summer, I had met with numerous leadership members from various D.C. think tanks and with law professors from schools I plan to apply to.

πŸ’Ž Paying it Forward
I was also incredibly fortunate to have a fantastic supervisor, Beatrice Brooke, who was instrumental in my professional growth. She gave me every opportunity to assist in projects and meetings within the policy centers. She not only supported me but also sought my input on projects. I felt appreciated within the organization and believed I could be an asset to them, not just a temporary intern.

What was your favorite TFAS event?

🍴 Alumni Networking Dinner
My favorite TFAS event was the Alumni Dinner and Networking Event. For the dinner, I was seated next to one of the directors of my internship institute. Because of the high demands of my organization, I never had the chance to meet with her and discuss her TFAS experience. At the dinner, I had the opportunity to genuinely connect with her and discuss the possibility of returning to the internship in the future. It was also incredible to hear of her TFAS experience and see how it had advanced her professional career. Knowing that she was an alum of the program and had achieved so much occupationally gave me a great deal of hope for my career journey. The dinner also allowed me to hear from other TFAS alumni who are now professionals in the D.C. area. Receiving advice from such a diverse panel of professionals was inspiring and invaluable.

REGARDLESS OF ITS IMPORTANCE, EVERY TASK IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF YOU … EVERYONE IN THIS CITY TALKS, SO LET YOUR WORK ETHIC SPEAK FOR YOU

MYA ROBERTS ’24

What advice do you have for future TFAS students?

πŸ’ͺ Be the Hardest Worker in the Room
The former Secretary of Homeland Security delivered the best advice I received. I found it relevant to both my experience at TFAS and my time at AFPI. He told me and my fellow interns, “Be willing to work harder than everyone else. Be engaged in the material, ask questions, read more, and learn more.” He emphasized that this would help build respect and trust between you and the organization’s members. Doing the little tasks in the beginning also helped to create this trust. Regardless of its importance, every task is a direct reflection of you. Someone else will be willing to do what you choose not to do. The only way to build lasting trust within a team or organization is through consistently showcasing your strong work ethic and dedication to your responsibilities. Everyone in this city talks, so let your work ethic speak for you.