Spring Break
Former RI campaign director for Pres. Barack Obama offers advice for aspiring politicians, journalists
Hillary Brady
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: News
04/07/09 - Braving the downpour of rain yesterday afternoon, Rep. Raymond J. Sullivan Jr. (D-Coventry) visited with University of Rhode Island students to discuss his work with President Barack Obama's campaign.
"If you have a desire to change things, you should get involved," Sullivan advised the approximately 30 students gathered to hear about his experiences breaking into the world of politics. The lecture was part of the Communications Department's Public Relations Summit.
Before entering the political arena, Sullivan worked as a journalist, earning an undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University in 1999.
"I chose journalism because I believed, like many people 20 years ago, that I could expose things that needed to be changed," Sullivan said.
At 20 years old, he began working as a full time reporter at the Kent County Daily Times, which covers Coventry and West Warwick, an experience he recommends for aspiring writers.
"Go work for a small community paper while you're young," he said. "I learned how to be a better writer and listen to people."
Sullivan eventually became a copy editor, but found the world of "corporate journalism" stripped him of the purpose he found in reporting. Eventually, he transitioned from working as a journalist to a career in public services and politics.
"I think about the stories I wrote, the people I touched. I think the same motivation that brought me to journalism brought me to politics," Sullivan said. "I wrote stories about people who led tough lives. Instead of writing about how bad things were, I wanted to change things."
This led to his position with AmeriCorps, a national program that networks volunteers with community service groups and non-profit organizations. Through AmeriCorps, he helped to run an after-school center for at-risk youth, which included community services, a GED program and a program with juvenile offenders.
It wasn't until Sullivan was approached at a friend's birthday party that he began his foray into the political spectrum. He was asked to interview for a job as a press secretary in an upcoming Congressional campaign.
"If you have a desire to change things, you should get involved," Sullivan advised the approximately 30 students gathered to hear about his experiences breaking into the world of politics. The lecture was part of the Communications Department's Public Relations Summit.
Before entering the political arena, Sullivan worked as a journalist, earning an undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University in 1999.
"I chose journalism because I believed, like many people 20 years ago, that I could expose things that needed to be changed," Sullivan said.
At 20 years old, he began working as a full time reporter at the Kent County Daily Times, which covers Coventry and West Warwick, an experience he recommends for aspiring writers.
"Go work for a small community paper while you're young," he said. "I learned how to be a better writer and listen to people."
Sullivan eventually became a copy editor, but found the world of "corporate journalism" stripped him of the purpose he found in reporting. Eventually, he transitioned from working as a journalist to a career in public services and politics.
"I think about the stories I wrote, the people I touched. I think the same motivation that brought me to journalism brought me to politics," Sullivan said. "I wrote stories about people who led tough lives. Instead of writing about how bad things were, I wanted to change things."
This led to his position with AmeriCorps, a national program that networks volunteers with community service groups and non-profit organizations. Through AmeriCorps, he helped to run an after-school center for at-risk youth, which included community services, a GED program and a program with juvenile offenders.
It wasn't until Sullivan was approached at a friend's birthday party that he began his foray into the political spectrum. He was asked to interview for a job as a press secretary in an upcoming Congressional campaign.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Bob Looby
posted 4/07/09 @ 8:05 PM EST
I found the artical on Sullivan very informative, I am a Coventry resident and voter. As far as I knew Ray was just another unemployed person who wanted to get into legislative world , I had read his "campaign literature" and it seemed empty, aparently I was wrong(again). (Continued…)
Bob Looby
posted 4/07/09 @ 8:20 PM EST
I found the artical on Sullivan very informative, I am a Coventry resident and voter. As far as I knew Ray was just another unemployed person who wanted to get into legislative world , I had read his "campaign literature" and it seemed empty, aparently I was wrong(again). (Continued…)
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