An Interview with Neil O'Brian

Neil O’Brian is a junior at Case Western Reserve University from upstate New York. He is an active member of Case Democrats and Sigma Nu.
Q: What’s your major here at Case?
A: Political Science and Economics.
Q: What was it that got you interested in those subjects?
A: Sort of in short, when I was young I went on vacation and my parents would take me to historical sites or vacation places. We went to Ft. Sumter in South Carolina, and my grandparents lived in Baltimore so we’d go down to D.C. a lot. For a long time I actually hated it. But eventually it grew on me and going into college I really wanted to do something with history and political science. And then my interest in economics kind of grew from my interest in history and political science because it’s so related.
Q: Do you have any particular concentrations that you study?
A: In political science I’m interested in American politics.
Q: Do you pursue these interests outside of the classroom as well?
A: Internship wise I do a lot. I’ve worked with a couple members of Congress, which relates to political science. I’ve done some research with the political science department, looked at the financial market, which is involved with the economics field. Activities wise I’m with Case Democrats, I’ve done a lot with them.
Q: Which congressman did you work for?
A: Actually, I worked for two. Brian Higgins and then Louise Slaughter, both from Western New York.
Q: What sorts of things do you do for Case Democrats?
A: I’m president elect, so there are all sorts of good things to come from that. This past year I’ve been interning for Organizing for America, which is sort of Obama’s grassroots organization and very active in advocating health care reform. That’s probably our biggest overall goal this semester. But in the past, like Fall 2008, we did a ton, a ton of stuff with the campaign—the Obama campaign.
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: Drivin’ a truck, I don’t know [laughs]. I guess I would like to go into politics or public policy for a while, maybe eventually go to law school. That’s sort of the long, long term goal.
Q: So do you plan to go into graduate school first, then?
A: Well, I feel like a lot of work done in congressman’s offices and working on campaigns are really low paying jobs, which is probably why a lot of young people do it. So, plus I’m a little burnt out on school. I think it would be law school second, and I’ll try politics, working in politics first.

Writing Week/Month

It’s April, which means that Writing Week has arrived at Case Western.
This year, Writing Week extends throughout the entire month and includes many activities for those interested in reading, writing, and attending lectures about reading and writing.
A full schedule of events is available here.
Some highlights include “The Past, Present and Future of Women’s and Gender Studies”—a workshop by Susan Stanford Friedman. It will take place on April 7th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities Seminar Room (Clark Hall, Room 206).
Also, “A Conversation with Greil Marcus”—a music and humanities workshop will take place in Harkness Classroom from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on April 9th.
On April 13th, Case Western Reserve University students will showcase their work in the Guilford House Parlor and Dining Room from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
This event allows Case students to read their work to a crowd of students and faculty. It’s a casual atmosphere, and most people stop by between classes to hear a few stories and poems and are on their way.
It is really a great way to hear the many talented students at Case display their creative efforts.
Writing Week is the perfect time to check out what the humanities departments are up to. Be sure to check it out!
[Photo Credit: Guildford House courtesy of casewiki]