In my time, I have done many different things. I like numbers, programming and writing. My ideal situation would be to write for a polling site, like 538 or Pollster.Com.
Currently: I am currently writing for The Texas Blue and doing freelance data work for various Democratic leaning NGO's.
Work Experience
Lake Research Partners, Programmer, 2008
In addition to standard sampling and statistical analysis for political projects, I designed a database that would hold hundreds of polls from different pollsters, all of whom were using different methodologies and differently designed datasets. I explored moving our firm from SPSS to Stata. While here, I represented the firm at The Analyst Institute, where we shared research, explored new methods and conducted original experiments.
The Feldman Group, Field Director, 2007-2008
I was responsible for all sampling, data and technology. During my tenure, I trained and managed a staff of three programmers using OSCAR to produce cross-tabs, daily partials and banner books. I also oversaw and administered a complete overhaul of OSCAR, which made daily operations more efficient and allowed for archiving of polls and data. Special projects included extensive research into microtargeting, and a special microtargeting poll of n=10,000 for the Ohio Democratic Party. I represented the firm at The Analyst Insistute.
The Talk Radio News Service, Correspondent, 2006-2007
I mostly covered the U.S. Senate, focusing on labour, energy and economy issues. In addition to my daily reporting, I developed and authored the (now-defunct) company blog, in which we provided analysis beyond daily reporting. From Dec. 2006 to January 2007, I covered the White House, during which time I broke the story about the Republican National Committee members who were considering rejecting President Bush's choice to replace Ken Mehlman. I also covered the 109th Congress Inauguration and the 2007 State of The Union.
Freelance policy research, 2005-2006
I conducted extensive research on how health care, pensions, savings plans could be reformed to provide better, more efficient coverage for the millennial generation's retirement, and what the political realities of those reforms would be for GMMB. I also did research on Asian-American demographic and education patterns for The National Asian-Pacific American Bar Association, trying to find the roadblocks that keep APA's out of law schools or from advancing in their careers.
Political Assistant Canvass Director and Field Organizer, 2004-2005
In 2004, I was The Assistant Canvass Director for the DNC in Texas. During this time, I trained canvassers, developed a field plan and executed it with a staff of 60. We raised more money in Texas for the DNC than any campaign had since 1992. After the DNC pulled out of Texas, I went to Cleveland, OH, to help run voter-persuasion and Get Out The Vote Efforts for the AFL-CIO. We managed to get the highest turnout to date in my territory. In 2005, I worked as Field Organizer for the Virginia Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign. I was responsible for working with community leaders and activists to ensure that Asian-Americans and recently naturalized citizens turned out to vote Democratic.
Technical Skills
Statistics: SPSS 16, R 2.8
Programming: C++, Java, Learning PHP/SQL
Operating Systems: Ubuntu Linux, Mac OS X, Windows
Languages
English, Hindi, Panjabi, German, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit
Education
Major: Philosophy/Classics, B.A.
University of Texas, Austin
Minors: American History, Economics, Government.
