UCI political science major Haley Tran ’24 had no intention of pursuing a career in politics. With a minor in biology, she envisioned becoming a doctor. But after internships with a local congresswoman and at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, she is headed back to Washington, D.C., after graduating to pursue a career with the federal government.

“Since the pandemic, AANHPI communities have been in the spotlight like never before, and that has opened up so many different opportunities,” Tran says. “We have an administration that really cares about pushing forward minority rights, and we have a lot of champions in high-level congressional positions as well. I feel like I'm getting into politics at a really great time when people are really focused on these issues.”

Getting political

Tran’s parents immigrated to the United States during the Vietnam War, and she grew up in Orange County surrounded by a large family of cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as a strong sense of community through her church. Choosing a college close to home, Tran commuted every day, but says she felt as if she lived on campus. She joined the Vietnamese Student Association’s leadership team, the Campuswide Honors Student Council, and the Center for Excellence in Writing & Communication.

“I wasn’t expecting to find such a community at UCI because it’s such a big school,” she says. “But I found that everyone is willing to connect and help one another.”

Even after declaring a political science major, Tran kept working toward a career in medicine, working at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and taking EMT training courses. One day, practicing ventilation on a dummy, she suddenly knew for certain that her future was not in health care. But she was still afraid to take the leap into politics, and unsure of what a career in the field would even look like. That is, until she discovered a longtime family friend had been one of the first Asian Americans hired by George W. Bush’s administration, and realized that it was entirely possible for her to have a career in politics.

Now, her advice to other students is this: Trust your gut.

“If you want to accomplish something, there will always be networks that will help you succeed, especially at UCI,” Tran says. “Don’t be afraid, just do it.”

Startup mentality

In the spring of 2023, Tran interned for Representative Michelle Steel, one of the first Korean Americans to serve in congress, and who represents California's 45th district, where nearly 40% of the constituents are Asian American. Tran enjoyed serving as a liaison and translator for community members, helping residents navigate federal programs such as passport applications or eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid.

That summer, Tran landed an internship at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and joined the UCDC program. The issues at hand were deeply personal to Tran, not only because of her heritage, but because she had graduated from high school in 2020, and witnessed the nationwide rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Committed to getting as much out of the experience as possible, Tran got involved with every stream of the initiative’s work. She supported the President’s Advisory Commission on AANHPI, drafted press releases and speaking points for officials, and helped host regional listening sessions to learn about concerns of constituents around the country.

“Working for a White House initiative is like working at a startup, because you’re only there for as long as the administration lasts, and you’re trying to make the largest impact you can in the short time you are there,” says Tran. “It’s a super fast-paced environment – not exactly what you would think of when you think of government bureaucracy at work.”

The staff at the initiative appreciated Tran’s contributions so much that they invited her to extend her internship through the fall quarter to continue her projects, working remotely while taking her classes back at UCI.

Government’s effectiveness

Having seen first-hand the work being done in the executive branch, Tran decided to focus her honors thesis on the impact of White House initiatives with advisor Matthew Beckmann, UCI associate professor of political science. Using the National Archives, requesting documents through the Freedom of Information Act, and networking on LinkedIn, Tran was able to track down and interview 12 former employees of various White House Initiatives, dating back to George H.W. Bush’s presidency in the early 1990s. She examined each initiative’s goals, the kind of funding they received, and the outcomes of their efforts. What she learned through her research surprised her.

“Government gives you a lot more bang for your buck than you might think,” Tran says. “Through this research, I realized that our federal government is doing great work. The people that are on these teams are passionate, driven individuals who often hold a personal stake in the success of the mission. As a young person pursuing a career in government, that was so empowering.”

After completing her bachelor’s in March 2024, Tran is preparing to move back to Washington, D.C., and perhaps pursue a law degree in the future. Beckmann, her advisor, predicts she’ll make an impact.

"I urge my students to go to Washington, D.C., because I want them to realize that UCI has prepared them to thrive on the national stage. Haley embodies my argument,” says Beckmann. “She has incredible talents and an impressive work ethic, but what really makes Haley shine are her thoughtfulness, creativity and collaborative style."

Tran plans to capitalize on those attributes to continue advocating for AANHPI communities at the federal level, and making the meaningful impact that she knows is possible.

“I did not think that I would ever be able to get my foot in the door in politics, but now I have a community of friends in Washington, D.C., and a team that I love working with,” she says. “Now my focus is just bringing about as much change as possible for AANHPI communities with my time there.”

-Christine Byrd for UCI Social Sciences
-pictured: As a UCI undergraduate, Haley Tran completed internships with a local congresswoman and at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. She's pictured here in D.C., an interior doorway within The White House, and with fellow interns at an APIAVote event.