White House Fellowship alumni will host an informational session on Sept. 17 to discuss the fellowship application process, share their experiences, and answer questions from interested applicants.
The virtual session will run Thursday, Sept. 17 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Contact Michele Zauche in Coast Guard Congressional Affairs (Michele.R.Zauche@uscg.mil) if you’d like to attend.
The White House Fellowship is open to enlisted and officers, both active duty and reserve members.
Should you apply?
We asked some Coast Guard members what THEY learned during their White House fellowship. Here’s what they asked us to share, as you decide whether this fellowship might be right for you.
- “My definition of ‘service’ was significantly expanded over the course of the fellowship. People can find an infinite number of ways to make a difference, and we need all of them.” – Cmdr. Kate Higgins Bloom
- “Knowing how to ask the right questions is one of the most important skills a leader can have.” – Cmdr. Kate Higgins Bloom
- “Civil servants (bureaucrats) make the government run and the vast majority work hard every day for the benefit of the American people.” – Lt. Cmdr. Linden Dahlkemper
- “Each one of us is replaceable (Colin Powell).” – Lt. Cmdr. Linden Dahlkemper
- “You never know if someone is following your orders and doing what you want because you are a good leader, or because they are obligated to follow you because of your rank or position. Ribbons, insignia and other devices similarly convey your ‘resume’ to others and they might follow you because you appear to be a credible [subject matter expert] SME, but are you really? When wearing a business suit, none of those crutches exist. You have to sway others on the merit of your leadership ability, interpersonal skills and the facts. This was a great way to see that in action and give me a true sense for my ACTUAL abilities.” – Capt. Holly Harrison
- “I was exposed to new fields of work and points of view I likely never would have come across in the Coast Guard or military service, which significantly broadened my view and understanding of the world.” – Capt. Holly Harrison
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