Source: Rachel King, rkking@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-2535.
News release prepared by: Corene Brisendine, 785-532-2535, briz@k-state.edu

Thursday, July 29, 2010

POLITICS, PUBLIC SERVICE PUT K-STATE STUDENT FROM WICHITA ON CAREER PATH

MANHATTAN -- Rachel King is using her involvement in student government at Kansas State University to help with her career plans.

King, now a sophomore in political science, Wichita, got active in student government during her freshman year.

"I was an intern this past year for the Student Governing Association, which was really fun because it's people who are all interested in the same things -- getting involved on campus," she said. "Our spring intern project was to increase voter turnout at student elections."

King said the group made signs that would be relevant to college students and posted them around campus. One sign posted in the recreation complex read, "Voting is really cool. The girl next to you on the elliptical will probably go and do it, too."

By the end of her internship, King decided running for student office, such as student senator, was not for her. She did, however, land a position in the Student Governing Association's presidential cabinet. She serves as local relations director, the liaison between K-State student government and the city of Manhattan. Currently, she is working on the mass transit initiative to create a bus system in Manhattan.

While she may not run for office, King would like to be a political consultant, working as a campaign manager or speechwriter. She also is considering public relations or advertising with an emphasis on politics.

"I really like learning about communication," King said. "There's a lot of ethical communication stuff you have to learn about with the politics, so I'm really excited to get started on that. It can help me out with political advertising or anything else because there are so many jobs you can do with political consultation."

King has her family to thank for her strong interest in politics.

"We like to joke that our dining room table is one of the most dangerous places on Earth because you never know what we're going to talk about or debate about," she said. "It's one of those things I've always grown up around and really enjoyed it."

King is a 2009 Kapaun Mount Carmel High School graduate.