Recent graduate gets inside look at state government

It’s been Deanna Campion’s goal to work in government and the public sector, and this summer shadowing state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Luzerne County, was an opportunity for her to see a role model at work.

“As a young woman in government, I admire Representative Toohil for dedication to children and youth and enthusiasm for her job,” said Campion, who graduated in May with degrees in political science and communication studies. “The best advice she gave me was to ‘do the thing you think you cannot do,’ a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that she was told when she was a young intern like me.”

Campion added, “I need to keep challenging myself and go outside of my comfort zone. It was a very enlightening and inspirational meeting. I plan to pursue this career path in public service and create meaningful change in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

According to Campion, when she first met with Toohil it was on the House floor during session (when all of the representatives are there and voting on bills).

“She had a bill running on the floor that day so she was bouncing around, and I got to watch her in action,” Campion said.

Campion is currently serving as a legislative fellow for the Pennsylvania Gaming Oversight Committee, a position helping her learn the intricacies of state government and the legislative process. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration in the fall.

Internship in Washington, D.C.

Last fall, Campion spent the semester in Washington, D.C., interning with the Coalition for Juvenile Justice through The Washington Center.