Should You Run for Office? Passion Is All the Proof You Need

Shaila Schmidt is a rising junior at Boise State University, where she is majoring in theater arts and dramatic writing. She is also a recent alumna of Elect Her–Campus Women Win. This spring, she was inspired to run for secretary of academic affairs of the Associated Students of Boise State University, and thanks to her training at Elect Her, she won! Schmidt took a few minutes to talk to us about her campaign experience.

AAUW: Why did you decide to run for campus office?

Schmidt: Last year, I began working for my university as an academic adviser to incoming students. I had the chance to work with students from all sorts of educational backgrounds, each with her or his own unique academic interests, goals, and hardships. I had been involved in student government since freshman year, and I felt that my experiences as an adviser made me the perfect candidate for secretary of academic affairs.

AAUW: What were some of your successful campaign strategies?

Schmidt: I utilized my resources. I had the benefit of working on a team of candidates for a variety of positions within the organization, which broadened my networking circles and provided me with stronger support. I talked with students, faculty, and administrators to fully understand what everyone needed from this position.

AAUW: What do you hope to accomplish during your term?

Schmidt: I want to help foster a stronger relationship among students, administrators, and faculty. Students interact with professors on a regular basis, of course, but many don’t take advantage of the wonderful opportunities to hone a relationship with the dean of their college or the chair of their department. Also, our campus currently offers no 24-hour study facilities for students. This has been a growing concern, and I hope to get the ball rolling to fix it.

AAUW: What are your goals after college?

Schmidt: After graduation, I plan to go to graduate school for theater history and criticism. My ultimate goal would be to work on Broadway or with a local theater company.

AAUW: What advice would you give to other women students who are questioning whether they should run or not?

Schmidt: There is a reason you think you should run. Don’t wait for someone to tell you you’re good enough. I’ve found that more often than not, when I’m hesitant about something I’ve chosen to do, I share it with my peers or mentors. And to them, it instantly makes sense that I would want to pursue it because I’m passionate about it. Passion is all the proof you need!

AAUW: Why do you think Elect Her–Campus Women Win is a valuable program for your campus?

Schmidt: Participating in Elect Her helped me gain a broader perspective on how my passions and achievements can fall in line and bring me to new experiences. I was able to meet some incredible women who had been in my position before and create connections with them to help me succeed in my future endeavors.