Lauren Stocker

GSA, Program Manager

2006 Major: Political Science and Markets & Management

Current Title/Employer: Program Manager, Federal Government — Washington DC

How has being a Political Science graduate from Duke helped shape your professional success?

My political science degree made me interested in finding out more about what the government does. I moved to DC after graduating Duke and have worked on the Hill and for several federal agencies for the last 12 years. I now work with the White House on key management initiatives and love the reach of what I do.

What advice would you give students in Political Science?

I recommend adding another major or minor to maximize your learning experience at Duke and make yourself more marketable. Don't look for a "good fit" with political science; explore a field, like biology, that feels very different but in reality are interconnected. I would also recommend using the school's many resources to find internships in a variety of fields before graduation.

Lauren Stocker