"Public service has always been a constant because I have been publicly serviced to get to where I am now.鈥
For third-year Judy Genshaft Honors College student Cameran Isler, public service
is more than an interest 鈥 it is a personal mission shaped by experience. Growing
up, she participated in speech and debate, competing in national tournaments. After
earning a national placement, she and her team were awarded a funded field trip to
the Florida Capitol. Meeting public officials she admired and witnessing firsthand
the historic setting where legislation takes shape left a lasting impression and deepened
her gratitude for the staff and supporters who made the opportunity possible.
鈥淚 got to go on a field trip to the Florida Capitol,鈥 said Isler. 鈥淲hile I was there,
they let us meet the governor, take pictures on the old Capitol steps, and gave us
the whole tour. It was very beautiful and monumental for my life.鈥
From that moment on, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in public service and
invest in others鈥 futures, just as others had invested in hers.
Diving Headfirst into Public Policy
Isler began at 深夜看片 as a political science major. She grew
up interested in history, but as she began taking classes, she soon found herself
drawn less to learning about historical events and more to understanding the philosophical
roots of conflict. She took Introduction to Philosophy and immediately knew it was
the right path for her.
鈥淚 remember walking out of the class and crying, because I've never been challenged
to think that hard about something,鈥 said Isler. 鈥淭hat week, I changed my major to
philosophy.鈥
Throughout her first year, she became deeply involved on campus, joining a Filipino
hip-hop dance group and the College of Arts and Sciences Dean鈥檚 Student Leadership Society.
Beyond campus, she expanded her public service work as an external affairs intern with Feeding Tampa Bay, where she assisted in identifying and coordinating town hall meetings. She also serves as a fellow with the Florida Debate Initiative, completing a service-learning project aimed at expanding debate programs in underfunded schools.
During her second year, Isler sought professional experience that would fully immerse her in government service. She was encouraged to apply for USF鈥檚 Local Internship Program and the Tallahassee Internship Program, and was accepted into both.
Through the Local Internship Program, she worked with U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee in Florida鈥檚 15th Congressional District. In the Tallahassee Internship Program, she served in the Florida House of Representatives under Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman.
In the Local Internship Program, students participated in internships around the Tampa Bay area and came together weekly to share their experiences with their peers. The course component became a turning point for Isler, as she felt encouraged to advocate for a more immersive role within her congressional office.
鈥淚n class, I was noticing that people were going out into the field and doing meetings,
and I was just in the office at first,鈥 said Isler. 鈥淏ut I asked and I received. I
got to go out into the field.鈥
Before beginning her Tallahassee internship, Isler completed a preparatory course
focused on the Florida legislative session, including bill tracking, procedural systems,
and key political figures. Once the session began, she quickly recognized the level
of responsibility entrusted to her.
Each House member is assigned only one intern. She managed constituent phone calls,
organized correspondence, and supported legislative operations during the fast-paced
session.
"I didn't know that going into it,鈥 said Isler. 鈥淏eing thrown in with the sharks was
very good for my growth then.鈥
Building on Opportunities
At the close of her TIP experience, Isler was invited to go back to the 15th district
to work as a congressional aide for Lee. She jumped at the opportunity to not only
positively impact more lives, but to lead the next generation of interns.
鈥淚'm the intern manager in Congresswoman Lee's office, and I manage, on average, 15
interns every semester. I use what I learned in LIP and TIP as an intern to be the
best manager I can be,鈥 said Isler.
In addition to supervising interns, she handles constituent casework, helping residents
navigate issues with federal agencies and escalating cases to the appropriate authorities.
She also assists in planning community events, several of which are hosted on USF鈥檚
campus.
Working at the district level has allowed her to see a tangible impact from her efforts.
鈥淪omething that I really like about working in the district office versus working
in D.C. is that within months, you're able to see your work come to completion and
actually help a person with something that could literally change their lives,鈥 said
Isler.
Empathetic Service
While working full time as a congressional aide and maintaining a full course load,
Isler continues to connect her academic studies to her professional responsibilities.
鈥淢y major in philosophy ties into my career in public service through conflict management,鈥
said Isler. 鈥淚f you're well versed in literature and perspectives from people that
have spent their whole lives thinking about conflict, it really helps inform decision-making
and de-escalate conflicts.鈥
Her interdisciplinary Honors education has prepared Isler to consider diverse perspectives
in each case that comes across her desk.
鈥淲hen someone calls asking me for a stance on something, knowing how to see things
that aren't very obvious, looking deeper into things, and finding contesting perspectives
鈥 those are things that Honors definitely helped me hone as a skill,鈥 said Isler.
鈥淚n an Honors class, you鈥檙e surrounded by people who are equally committed to understanding
nuanced perspectives.鈥
Learn more about the 深夜看片 Local Internship Program and Tallahassee Internship Program.