Looking for jobs with 'President' Obama
Barack Obama's young fans have enjoyed supporting and working for him so much, they are already jockeying for jobs in the new administration. Providing, of course, he is elected. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama speaks to supporters during a rally. (Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images)
Links
- Audio: Starry-eyed Obama supporters dream of their perfect job in an Obama administration.
Starry-eyed Obama supporters dream of their perfect job in an Obama administration.
TEXT OF STORY
Kai Ryssdal: A week from today it's all over. No more debates. No more campaign ads. No more nothing, because the only thing left will be the voting. Unless, you're one of the Republican or Democratic faithful looking for a job. The young people Barack Obama's has made a point of reaching out to are reaching back to him With resumes in hand. From Washington, Marketplace's Nancy Marshall-Genzer reports.
Nancy Marshall-Genzer: It's a chilly October evening in Washington. A perfect night for cool jazz at a downtown Obama fundraiser. Young, starry-eyed Obama supporters dream of their perfect job in an Obama administration.
Millie Lee: If they had a manager of entertainment that would be fun--hosting the White House parties and that kind of stuff.
Russ Ballard: I would want to work in some sort of foreign affairs committee and try to improve our relations with countries like China.
That was Georgetown University student Russ Ballard. Before him you heard from Millie Lee.
They're both young and enthusiastic. But, unfortunately, somewhat clueless. If Obama is elected, they'll be at the back of a very long line of job seekers.
Paul Light: They're stacked up like aircraft over O'Hare.
Paul Light teaches government management at New York University. He says Obama fans need to have at least volunteered for the campaign. But that's no guarantee of a job. Your resume has to get into the hands of a well-connected high flyer.
Light: It's really a political process in which your connections matter most.
That doesn't sit right with Teddy Ky Nam Miller. The recent law school graduate owes about a hundred thousand dollars in student loans. No matter--Miller is working for the Obama campaign in Florida, for free. He stresses the election isn't over, and says his main goal right now is getting Obama elected.
Teddy Ky Nam Miller: They've always taught us in graduate school about the importance of networking. But I guess I have kind of a distaste for the angling aspect of it.
Robert Shapiro says Miller will never get anywhere with that attitude. Shapiro was Bill Clinton's chief economic adviser during Clinton's first presidential run. He became Undersecretary of Commerce in the second Clinton administration after Clinton called and offered him the job. Shapiro says in a first administration, presidents are so overwhelmed, they rely on advisors for hiring recommendations. Only the fiercest job anglers get attention and Shapiro didn't want to swim with them.
Robert Shapiro: Yes. There are certainly sharks, I'm afraid I was a porpoise. I was eaten by the sharks initially.
Some people expect a President Obama would hire more porpoises--less aggressive professionals. They think he'd break with sharks, like lobbyists and former White House staffers. But Paul Light says, no dice.
Light: You draw on people who are inside the Washington, DC Beltway. A significant majority of the Obama appointees will have served in the Clinton administration.
What about rich sharks? Would Obama be less beholden to them because he collected a lot of small donations? Paul Light says no. Obama would pay special attention to wealthy donors. But Shapiro says they wouldn't get the top White House jobs.
Shapiro: You know look, fundraisers have traditionally gotten some ambassadorial positions. Who cares--frankly.
Shapiro says Obama has so many donors, the impact of individuals is diluted. Even if they're sharks.
In Washington, I'm Nancy Marshall Genzer for Marketplace.
Comments
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From Lakewood, NJ, 04/06/2009
This is Dominick Larotonda with a message for President Obama.
Based on my extensive international experience I can provide you with plans on how to stabilize Middle East, on how to deal with Saudi Arabia and also how to start new deals with Venezuela.
I just need a job near your office, period.
From Marissa, IL, 02/11/2009
am seeking job as customer service provider, am retired Civil Servant(20yrs) need part time position, for lack of money is there any work for me in President Obama's work force?
From casper4, WY, 01/26/2009
i am looking to help i have been working on wend gen. job and eathnal jobs all over the us. i work men and heave equipment i watch the us gov. waist money i know i can help please call or e mail thank you Bruce Young
From North Hollywood, CA, 01/20/2009
Being one of many unemployed,how do I submit an application to see if I qualify for a position for The President Of The United States Of America? Thank GOD for our new President "OBAMA"
From Babylon, NY, 12/22/2008
I am 55 years old and worked for a fortune 200 company for 20 years. This company in the passed years has been downsizing and sending work over to India. I am now without a job and I am finding it very difficult getting another one. My job fiction was an Admin assist for the IT Dept.
I had given my all to this company and the best they did for me is: Pay me until July 17 with medical. This is not including my 401K or disability insurance.
I was one of the lucky ones, since the employees that had worked less got less.
I do realize that my company isn't the only company sending work oversea.
But, with our unemployment rate ski rocketing, why should this be happening?
I am like all Americans and feel that we should be keeping our jobs in the United States. I do not see other countries sending work over here?
My understanding is, the goverment is giving tax brokes to companies sending work oversea's. Will now that American's need jobs, why don't we now give tax brokes to companies hiring AMERICANS?
From Baltimore, MD, 11/13/2008
I am a transplant from FL and have worked in the legal field for years. I would love to work for President-Elect Obama. I have been without a job for 3 months. I am a saesoned paralegal.
From Williston, SC, 11/13/2008
I would like to get a job with Obama Administration or just work with Michelle. I have Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management, Master in Business Administration, Master in Education and Master in Mental Health Counseling. I am currently an Instructor in education. I look forward to meeting you President Obama and First lady Michelle.
From Lanett, AL, 11/11/2008
I would like to surgest to President Obama that one of the easiest way's to create jobs and stimulate the economy is to award 40% of federalpurchases to small and disadvantaged and reopen small and minority business development centers that existed in the 80's and created thousands of jobs for the poor by providing job tax credits and other incentives for employers to hire and train them. This method in my opinion would work better and be more cost effective than stimulus checks. It would also have been more cost effective to have provided banks with small business loan guarantees than bail outs.
From Columbia, MD, 11/09/2008
I am a Career Development Consultant and would love to get employment with the Career Center on the Hill. To whom should I send my resume or network with.
Thank you.
Audrey Durr- Poole
From Woodbridge, VA, 11/08/2008
Help! U.S. Navy Retired Service Connected Disabled Veteran aggressively seeking a position in the Obama Adminstration: - Currently,IP Patent Agent Professional - Former Army Joint Policy/Technical contractor - Former Navy Contractor - Former Government Employee USPTO, Patent Examiner - Former DoD Contractor Your help is appreciated, advise! v/r Charles S. Northern Virginia
From Alexandria, VA, 11/08/2008
I have been in education for approximately 20 years, and I am currently writing my dissertation. I am also fluent in three languages. I would love to get a job with the Obama administration or Michelle Obama in education. Given my teaching experience, educational training, and knowledge of the impact of NCLB on urban schools and instruction, I know I can help shape educational policy and lead our country in the right direction.
Thank you.
From Baltimore, MD, 11/07/2008
I'd like to work as a junior-level speechwriter. Currently going for a Master's degree in writing at Johns Hopkins Univ. in Baltimore, so it would be a reasonable commute to the White House, where President-elect Obama will soon be.
From sevierville, TN, 11/06/2008
To whom should I send (email) a resume?
From Enterprise, OR, 11/05/2008
Being 56 years old and living out West in a very rural community, breathing fresh air and drinking pure fresh well water everyday why would I want to work in Washington DC? Barack Obama... I believe he is our political breath of fresh air and a much needed fresh start.
From Jackson, TN, 11/05/2008
Please tell me to whom I would write to apply for a job, in the Obama administration. After being a teacher and Professor for 30 years and then retiring from higher education I have returned this year as a Professor at Lane College. I know I can help determine policy for education that will lead our country in a positive direction and I am ready to apply for a position in Obama's administration.
From Augusta, GA, 11/05/2008
I would love to be a transcriptionist in any capacity in President Obama's administration. I have been an acute care medical transcriptionist for 25 years, and I can transcribe data about as fast as anyone can talk. I would also be interested in having a multi-language keyboard that would allow me to transcribe what President Obama is saying on a teleprompter for people of different languages to read. I am in GA. I waited in line for 2-1/2 hours to vote for President Obama; only to see as usual, GA come up red, but it came up better than I thought. Call me first family. I already have been a civil service employee and I am available immediately!
From Herndon, VA, 11/03/2008
What I would like to do is get a job
with the Obama Inaugural Committee..
or better yet a job with Michelle
Obama in her first lady's office
after January 20th.
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