Public service captured my heart at the age of 16 in my 10th grade civics class and every step I have taken through my career in politics has been one step closer to fulfilling my purpose in life.
However, I do not have a roadmap or a template I have copied, pasted, or seamlessly executed. How have I worked towards fulfilling my ‘why’?

We tend to believe that we need to be the smartest person in the room, have the perfect résumé, or know exactly what to say before we earn a seat at the table. But I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful opportunities I’ve had in my career have begun with something much simpler – just showing up.

I’ve attended County Commissioners’ meetings, volunteered for campaigns, and introduced myself at the state legislature. Every act of participation builds something bigger. You can’t fulfill your ‘why’ if you’re not present.

Showing up gives people the chance to see your work ethic, your curiosity, and your willingness to contribute. It creates opportunities to ask thoughtful questions, build relationships, and learn from people who have walked similar paths before me. Those connections have wholeheartedly helped shape my career in politics, leading me to political internships, campaign roles, board appointments, and jobs – not because I had every answer, but because I consistently demonstrated that I cared enough to be present, to work towards fulfilling my ‘why.’

That is not to say that every event, meeting, or volunteer shift was life-changing or earth-shattering. Progress rarely happens all at once. There were also times I did not feel completely ready. I showed up anyway. This fosters progress and fulfillment. It’s the result of consistent participation and a willingness to engage over time.

Every experienced leader was once the person attending their first local government monthly meeting. Every successful professional was once the intern knocking doors and cold calling voters. Every elected official was once the concerned resident deciding to get involved.

I don’t have a crystal ball. I never know which meeting, conversation, or act of service will open the next door. I have to show up to find out. I’ve searched online for opportunities, checking my county government’s website regularly. Months later, I was appointed to a regional Commission focusing on economic development in my area. I cold called a politically engaged Club to discuss my future involvement and was later elected to be the Club’s Secretary. I actively tell people I’m seeking civic engagement programs and have participated in five – on the local, state, and federal level. I collected business cards and instead of letting them sit in a drawer, I followed up and landed a job.

My very first opportunities in my career in politics came not because I had years of experience, but because I was willing to look for them and follow through. People remembered my name because I reached back out after meeting them. Opportunities came because I expressed genuine interest and stayed engaged instead of assuming someone would find me.

Every turning point in my career has happened because I was paying attention. None of it has happened by accident. It happened because I was willing to put myself forward, speak up, and share my ‘why.’ Showing up is a process. It starts well before physically walking into the room. It starts by asking questions to your neighbors, co-workers, or friends, by opening a laptop, researching, and reaching out.

Showing up doesn’t guarantee immediate success, but it dramatically increases the chances that I’ll be in the right place when opportunity comes along. I wasn’t simply lucky – I am intentional. My habits illustrating that I show up is more than attendance; it’s a mindset of initiative, consistency, and curiosity.

Fulfilling my ‘why’ is a constant and consistent work in progress and it all starts with just showing up.