Potential Magazine October 2013 | Page 10

life skills tips & advice life skills trends what i know now Cameron Scarborough Allen resources age: 26 hometown: Charleston, S.C. career: Finance Director for Martha Roby for Congress scholarships parent to parent education: Elon University; majored in Corporate Communications and a Minor in Political Science If you asked a 5-or 6-year-old Cameron Scarborough Allen what she wanted to be when she grew up, the reply would have been “a race car driver.” Her current job as Finance Director for Martha Roby for Congress doesn’t put her behind the wheel of a fast car, but it does have her competing in a race, (one of the political persuasion) and it’s the drive toward the finish line that keeps her passionate about what she does. cameron racing ahead allen ADVICE TO PARENTS v Allen in action on Roby’s team SOUTHERN ROOTS never a dull day: I’m blessed to have a great boss who inspires me to work as hard as possible. I love the fastpaced world of politics because every day is different. parental involvement: My parents offered advice but encouraged me to be independent. Most importantly, they pushed me when I was in high school to excel so I would have the opportunity to apply to competitive out-ofstate schools. I’m so glad they did because attending Elon University has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. thi s ga l’s kit che n sta ple am today to my first boss, Lisa Spies. I interned for her the summer after my junior year. She is the president and owner of a boutique fundraising firm. She taught me so much in a short amount of time and made me fall in love with both politics and fundraising! choosing a career: I feel very fortunate that the major I put on my application to Elon was what I graduated with. I had a lot of friends that changed majors several times before they found the right fit. I do think it is important to take a variety of classes in your first year of college because the sooner that you can identify what you are passionate about, the better. rookie mistake: I probably should’ve researched )v Allen is true to her Southern roots, delighting in cooking and sharing delicious food with those she loves. 10 Congresswoman Martha Roby’s office as the finance director. I am responsible for raising funds for her re-election. I organize and plan fundraising events, manage the finances of the campaign, travel to meetings and check presentations with the Congressman, amongst many other things. a priceless mentor: I owe so much of where I ) Encourage your teen to excel in high school to give them the opportunity to apply to competitive out-of-state schools. IMAGE BY ELEMENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY duties: I work on the campaign side of Alabama freshman housing more! I ended up living in a dorm that was pretty far from the main campus my first semester freshman year. www.potentialmagazine.com