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Leavey School of Business Santa Clara University

Hardy, Gus

Gus Hardy
Winter & Spring 2016 Fellow,
Office of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo

Major: Religious Studies and Political Science
Home Town: Berkeley, CA
Interests: Christianity and Politics, Poverty Alleviation, Hiking, Fried Chicken
Organization: Legislative Policy team at the Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo

Give a brief summary of your responsibilities/tasks in the internship.

During my time as a fellow in the Mayor’s office, I was tasked with organizing all kinds of data, from studies on minimum-wage policies to the effectiveness and costs of youth employment programs. I also drafted dozens of letters and city proclamations and commendations, and ensured that they were both professional, but also personalized to whom I was writing.

How do you think you made positive contributions to the department/organization?

During my time, I proved to be a hard worker, constantly completing tasks in about half the time given to me, while still taking the time to slow down and check my work. My proclamations were so well-written that at one point, the Mayor personally complimented me on one! Most importantly, I reached out to the Mayor’s partnerships team to seek extra work on a City-Church collaborative effort to house the City’s homeless veterans. By doing this, I not only showed my passion for the issue and desire to contribute, but that I could handle extra work effectively.

How did this experience enhance or connect to what you are learning in your LSB or other courses?

This internship was personally very beneficial as a political science major, because it allowed me to take what I was learning in class and apply it to the real world. Having worked with so many political-science majors who don’t go on to careers in politics, I’m happy that I was able to flex that side of my intellect in a professional setting.

What was the most beneficial aspect of this experience for you?

The most beneficial aspect of this program for me was the fact that I was able to take this internship in the mayor’s office and make it my own. In an institution as large as San Jose City Hall, I did not think I would be able to stand out or be distinctive. Now, I know that I’m a valued part of the team, and that that came from hard work and demonstrated passion on my end.