We asked our Scholars how their college experience prepared them for public service. Here’s what they said:

Shawn Chao, NobleReach Scholar ’25

A friend who had moved from tech to D.C. policy highlighted the government’s shortage of technical expertise, which deeply resonated with me. This, and the emergence of ChatGPT, convinced me that AI would have sweeping implications for national security and society. I returned to finish at MIT, collaborated with professors in history, political science, and economics, and was later recruited to serve as a nonpartisan fellow advising to OSTP. Now at a think tank and NobleReach, I continue bridging technical expertise with public service.  

Minji Kim, NobleReach Scholar ’25

My undergraduate degree was in Informatics, and I specifically focused on Human-Centered Data science, creating ethically conscious and secure models and systems. I realized how important collaboration, adaptability, and inclusivity are to a mission-driven career, and I prepared to approach public service with both technical expertise and a commitment to community needs.