Graduate Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Emily K. Worland
Summer 2015 Archer Fellow
Internship: The Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and Records Administration
Education
The University of Texas at Arlington
M.A. Public Policy; May 2016
Southern Methodist University
B.S. Economics, B.A. Public Policy; May 2010
The University of North Texas Dallas College of Law
J.D.; expected May 2020
Career
Policy Aide to Councilmember at the City of Dallas’ Mayor and City Council Office
Summer 2015 Archer Fellow
Internship: The Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and Records Administration
Education
The University of Texas at Arlington
M.A. Public Policy; May 2016
Southern Methodist University
B.S. Economics, B.A. Public Policy; May 2010
The University of North Texas Dallas College of Law
J.D.; expected May 2020
Career
Policy Aide to Councilmember at the City of Dallas’ Mayor and City Council Office
“My Archer Fellowship experience gave me the confidence and conviction to pursue a law degree. It helped solidify my passion for public service, and taught me the value of taking the next career opportunity to grow and learn. As I enter my second year of law school, I could not be happier."
Q & A with Emily
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
As a policy aide to a Dallas City Councilmember, I work to help the constituents of the district navigate various city departments, advise the Councilmember on items before the committees and council, and assist in the management of district initiatives, events, and projects.
What has been your general career path?
I am a public servant, and will always be a public servant. I began my career in service as a public high school teacher, teaching AP U.S. Government and AP Psychology for five-and-a-half years at Marcus High School in the Lewisville Independent School District before making the very difficult decision to leave teaching to pursue my law degree. I plan to continue working with the Dallas City Council throughout my law school career, and then would love to work as a public defender.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
My Archer Fellowship experience gave me the confidence and conviction to pursue a law degree. It helped solidify my passion for public service, and taught me the value of taking the next career opportunity to grow and learn. As I enter my second year of law school, I could not be happier. I have loved every moment of the experience.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
While I value every moment of my experience as an Archer Fellow in the Graduate Program in Public Policy, I am most thankful for the confidence and conviction the experience gave me to pursue a long-forgotten dream of attending law school. And, of course, I tremendously value the friendships built through weekend adventures attempting to see everything in D.C.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
Through the impressive roster of speakers, from a variety of industries and levels of government, I learned that there is truly no such thing as a linear career path. Advancement is a function of being open to opportunity, building a network of contacts through maintenance of reputation, and understanding that each opportunity and contact allows you to learn more and build new skills.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I value the camaraderie of the shared experience among the large Archer Alumni network. I love meeting Archer Fellows and having an instant connection and friendship. When my law school colleague, Tahj Walker, and I discovered we were both Archer Alumni we were forever connected. Archer Alumni are impressive and accomplished leaders—it’s an honor to be among those ranks.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
The Archer Center scavenger hunt set the tone for what was a summer of exploration and adventure. It was so much fun strategizing our plan of attack and racing around D.C. less than 24-hours into our stay to collect as many pictures as possible. Of course, the Golden Archers were victorious, and happily celebrated our win at Founding Farmers. Each weekend thereafter, my group woke up early to see, do, and eat all that D.C. has to offer. We created an impressive D.C. bucket list that we passed to the Summer 2016 Archer Fellows who accomplished and exceeded our adventures.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
If you are able to, you must pursue the Archer Center Graduate Program in Public Policy. It’s an experience you will not regret. But, you must make the most of the experience by committing to soaking up all that D.C. has to offer, all the fellowship has to offer, and all that the Archer Center has to offer. Adopt a ‘go with the flow’ attitude, and do it all!
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
As a policy aide to a Dallas City Councilmember, I work to help the constituents of the district navigate various city departments, advise the Councilmember on items before the committees and council, and assist in the management of district initiatives, events, and projects.
What has been your general career path?
I am a public servant, and will always be a public servant. I began my career in service as a public high school teacher, teaching AP U.S. Government and AP Psychology for five-and-a-half years at Marcus High School in the Lewisville Independent School District before making the very difficult decision to leave teaching to pursue my law degree. I plan to continue working with the Dallas City Council throughout my law school career, and then would love to work as a public defender.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
My Archer Fellowship experience gave me the confidence and conviction to pursue a law degree. It helped solidify my passion for public service, and taught me the value of taking the next career opportunity to grow and learn. As I enter my second year of law school, I could not be happier. I have loved every moment of the experience.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
While I value every moment of my experience as an Archer Fellow in the Graduate Program in Public Policy, I am most thankful for the confidence and conviction the experience gave me to pursue a long-forgotten dream of attending law school. And, of course, I tremendously value the friendships built through weekend adventures attempting to see everything in D.C.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
Through the impressive roster of speakers, from a variety of industries and levels of government, I learned that there is truly no such thing as a linear career path. Advancement is a function of being open to opportunity, building a network of contacts through maintenance of reputation, and understanding that each opportunity and contact allows you to learn more and build new skills.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I value the camaraderie of the shared experience among the large Archer Alumni network. I love meeting Archer Fellows and having an instant connection and friendship. When my law school colleague, Tahj Walker, and I discovered we were both Archer Alumni we were forever connected. Archer Alumni are impressive and accomplished leaders—it’s an honor to be among those ranks.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
The Archer Center scavenger hunt set the tone for what was a summer of exploration and adventure. It was so much fun strategizing our plan of attack and racing around D.C. less than 24-hours into our stay to collect as many pictures as possible. Of course, the Golden Archers were victorious, and happily celebrated our win at Founding Farmers. Each weekend thereafter, my group woke up early to see, do, and eat all that D.C. has to offer. We created an impressive D.C. bucket list that we passed to the Summer 2016 Archer Fellows who accomplished and exceeded our adventures.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
If you are able to, you must pursue the Archer Center Graduate Program in Public Policy. It’s an experience you will not regret. But, you must make the most of the experience by committing to soaking up all that D.C. has to offer, all the fellowship has to offer, and all that the Archer Center has to offer. Adopt a ‘go with the flow’ attitude, and do it all!
