Got Greek?

Interview with Nick Anas

smarudas | May 18, 2010 | Comments 0

The “Got Greek of the Week” interview with Nick Anas: “What gets me up in the morning is… that I truly feel I am making a difference.”

THE GRADUATE(S) — If there is one thing on every college student’s mind, it’s the prospect of finding a job during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. In this continuing series, we talk to a few recent graduates who share with us what it looks like from the other side of the fence.

NICK ANAS is a recent graduate from the University of California at Santa Barbara. What is he doing with his degree in International Relations? By day, Nick works for a political consulting firm, and is the assistant campaign manager for Beth Krom, who’s running in California for a seat in the United States Congress. Last month, Nick was named chair of the Orange County Young Democrats. Here are some excerpts from our “Got Greek of the Week” interview with Nick Anas:

Q: At 24 years-old, you are the assistant campaign manager for a candidate running for Congress — and you work for a political consulting group. What do you enjoy about your jobs?

A: Working in politics is extremely exciting. Every day is truly different and it is definitely not your typical 9-to-5 job. My job duties have included polling research, opposition research, fundraising, logistical organizing, volunteer management, and more. Working on a campaign is truly a 24-hour job. You wake up, go to sleep, and sometimes wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it. Some thrive on the pressure, but many burn out and find other work.

The firm I work for has five Orange County clients, so I have been extremely busy with work. We are seven months until election day so everything is heating up. But things are going great. I can’t complain about actually having a great job at 24-years old.

Q: What got you interested in politics?

A: I have always had a natural interest in politics. Growing up in a Greek household and being from a culture that was first and foremost in developing democracy— politics were always passionately discussed at any large family gathering. I really began to volunteer when I was in college at UC Santa Barbara, and got involved during the 2008 Democratic primaries for President Obama. After graduating and moving back to Orange County in September 2008, I began volunteering and ended up interning for the Democratic Party of Orange County. I gained a lot of experience and eventually received a job offer.

Q: You were recently named political director of the Orange County Young Democrats (OCYD). That’s a pretty big deal. What are your top three goals while you’re in this role?

A: One is to transform the OCYD from a primarily networking organization to a great grassroots, peer-to-peer organizing operation. We’re going to target young voters in this county and directly advocate the issues that are important to us, because that is what will get us out to vote in an off-year election. The second goal is to build our local chapters, including universities, community colleges and high schools. We want to become a mentor to all our local chapters and really work together to bring effective change to Orange County. The final goal is to develop an effective fundraising strategy to ensure that we have the resources necessary to execute our game plan. This will be done by increasing membership and having fundraisers, such as our upcoming Clinton Awards in June, where our keynote speaker will be California Assembly Speaker John Perez.

Q: Dream job?

A: I was actually an international relations major at UC Santa Barbara, and so I would love to work abroad one day. Becoming the United States Ambassador to Greece doesn’t sound too shabby, right?

Q: What drives you on a day-to-day basis?

A: What really gets me up in the morning is the fact that my hard work goes towards advocating public policy that I believe in, and not some executives’ profit margins. I truly feel like I am making a difference.

Q: Favorite Greek dish?

A: Saganaki… really any kind.

Q: Is there a Greek-related object you own that you really value?

A: Does my Panathinaikos jersey count?

Filed Under: GREEK OF THE WEEK

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Over the past year, we’ve been listening to students from one end of the country to the other... From Greek-American and Greek-Greek, to Greek- Irish, Greek-Iranian and even Greek-Chinese — they all say they’ve “got Greek.” Your voice belongs in this conversation. That’s why we’re inviting you to take the Got Greek? survey... [read more]
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The Got Greek? National Student Survey is the first national online survey of American university students of Greek ancestry where you can share your views and opinions about your background and how it relates to everything from food and music, to family, friends and dating. You can sign up here to take the Got Greek? online student survey. Participation in the Next Generation Initiative’s national student survey is open to every student of Greek heritage who is a student at a college or university in the United States. Whether you are 1/16th or 100% Greek, this study is about you. So, whether you’re first-, second-, third-, fourth- or even fifth-generation — or if your last name is more like Fey than Stephanopoulos — as long as you are an undergraduate or graduate student of Hellenic heritage studying at a university in the United States — we want to hear how you feel about being (even a little bit) Greek.

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The Next Generation National Research Study would not be possible without the continuing support of the Zapis Charitable Foundation, and the additional support of the Maliotis Charitable Foundation and others — along with the participation of the more than 50 Hellenic Student Associations and their leaders who have helped make this a truly national study. The Research Study would not exist without the vision and dedication of its creator and director, Stephanie Marudas, who has guided the Study from the outset, and marshaled the efforts of an outstanding team — including the Study’s lead academic advisor Queens College Professor Nicos Alexiou, Queens College graduate Mary Diaz, Queens College student Olivia Tousius, Northwestern Students Katerina Alexopoulos and Tania Karas, University of Pennsylvania graduate Chris Zervoudis, and the contributions of our advisors from around the country, including the initial guidance of the late Professor Charles Moskos of Northwestern University, and assistance from Professors James Dimitriou of the University of Southern California, Alexander Kitroeff of Haverford College, and Yiorgos Anagnostou of Ohio State University. Thanks to all of you!

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