Asian Americans on Capitol Hill

Panelists highlight their experiences in public service in honor of AAPI Month

Allison Dong reflects on her job as Senior Communications Advisor at the House Budget Committee. Moderator Nicholas Wu (far left) and panelists Jason Li, Tiffany Ge Elzey, Catalina Lam and Dong (left to right) sit down to provide their insights on working on Capitol Hill. (Photo by Jiayue Zou)

U.S-China Education Trust hosted a panel with Capitol Hill Staff–moderated by Nicholas Wu, Congressional Reporter at Semafor–on May 27. Panelists included Allison Dong, Senior Communications Advisor at the House Budget Committee; Tiffany Ge Elzey, Staff Director for Senator Mitch McConnell; Jason Li, Professional Staff Member of the House Select Committee on the CCP; and Catalina Lam, Nominations Director for Senator Chuck Schumer.

The panel focused on the guests’ experiences working on Capitol Hill, advice for college students and young employees interested in public service and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) identity in the context of this work.

“Working in [public service] is the most fulfilling thing I can do, especially from a communications or press perspective,” Dong said. “You get to connect with people and see how policy makes a difference in people's lives.”

Dong and other panelists discussed their stories and perspectives working on Capitol Hill as an Asian American.

“I love meeting other Asian Americans on the Hill,” Dong said. “It's about building your own community and meeting people who have similar experiences. It's exciting to be able to represent your community in different settings, like on the Hill.” 

But before Dong received her official position on Capitol Hill, there were few Asian Americans to build community with.

“I had interned on the Hill before, and I don't remember seeing one other Asian,” Dong said. “I know there were other Asians, but I would say they're less prominent.”

Asian Americans also often face barriers that impede their ability to have their voices heard.

“The bamboo ceiling, contrary to the glass ceiling, is where it's harder for Asian Americans to break into leadership roles,” Dong said. “It might be because we're too eager to keep our head down and just be a hard worker, or it might just be that we're too agreeable. I think having more representation as a whole is great because there are more opportunities for people to rise and be leaders in their fields.”

While it may seem isolating to be a minority in the workplace, Dong’s later experiences can serve as encouragement for those in the AAPI community looking to enter the industry.

“I've been pleasantly surprised by how many Asians have been in the offices [now],” Dong said. “When I took my first full-time job on the Hill, I thought I'd probably be the only Asian American in my office. But I showed up, and there were two other Asian Americans.”

Being Asian American in professional fields such as public service fosters pride in one's heritage and self.

“It's different moments when you realize you're the only Asian American, or the only Asian American woman in a room; you feel proud to represent your community,” Dong said. “It's also a nice reminder you earned the right to be in the room.”

Many Asian Americans just entering the workforce are confronted with the false idea that there is no support system for people like them.

“You're not alone–other people share those experiences or might be in the same place as you that you can lean on and build friendships and community with,” Dong said. “Do not stand in your own way.”

For those who aspire to be in the same position as Dong and the other panelists, Dong emphasizes tenacity as the driver of success on Capitol Hill and public service in general.

“Part of working on the Hill is being really persistent,” Dong said. “I've heard of friends who ended up getting a job on the Hill because they called 50 different offices to ask–it's figuring out what you want and going after it wholeheartedly.”