Sarah Holbert
At Ohio State, Sarah pursued Political Science and English, complemented by minors in International Studies and History, and earned a research distinction from the Sociology department. Her academic experience sparked a passion for public service and opened doors to internships with the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, New Visions Group, and the Ohio Democratic Party, all opportunities she discovered through the department newsletter.
After graduation, she worked in health policy with the FDA and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, where she discovered her love for working with volunteers and preparing them for meetings with elected officials. That experience inspired her to transition into career coaching and student development, ultimately bringing her back to Ohio State in a role that combines her expertise with her passion for mentorship.
Today, as Washington Programs Manager for the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, she’s helping students turn classroom learning into real-world impact. Sarah oversees recruitment, placement, and professional development for students in the Washington Academic Internship Program. She helps students secure internships in policy, politics, and international relations, serves as instructor for Public Affairs 4191.02, and plans professional development programming such as panels and agency visits. She also connects students with mentors and strengthens Buckeye bonds in DC. “I greatly enjoy seeing the growth in our students. I work with them for about eight months and in that time, I see them develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. My favorite part of my work (task wise) is helping students grow comfortable with networking."
Since joining the team 3.5 years ago, she has worked with over 200 students. "The students I worked with when I first started are now returning to DC to pursue advanced degrees or begin their career, so I see their development beyond their semester as well."
Advice for Future Public Service Professionals:
“Focus on relationship building! DC is a city where who you know often matters more than what you know. Networking is an essential career skill no matter where you go, but in DC, and in my role, it is what creates opportunities and helps us develop strong connections to employers, alumni, and other stakeholders. Don’t be afraid to connect with folks working in roles you aspire to and never hesitate to connect with other Buckeyes."
Reflecting on her Political Science background, Sarah credits the major for shaping her critical thinking, communication, professionalism, and teamwork skills. "I developed these skills as a political science student (especially with my focus on conflict & cooperation and campaign work) and have been able to resolve issues related to housing, student conduct, supervisors, and political impacts thanks to the focus poli sci put on critically examining different issues. The political science major also gave me the background knowledge about DC and how our government works to successfully train future public servants and help foster relationships across the aisle. The coursework challenged me to evaluate conflicting opinions without my bias and gave me the tools to facilitate discussions while working with people from all backgrounds. The University motto, ‘Education for Citizenship,’ is directly tied to the learning environment created by the poli sci department, and I work toward this mission every day.”
“Take advantage of unique course offerings at OSU. A misinformation/disinformation class I took my last semester completely reshaped my worldview and taught me how to converse in a chaos-filled time. Take courses outside your specific area of interest to help expand your worldview and learn how larger systems in American life interact.”