Gohmann first learned that she wanted to work in communications through her experiences handling constituent concerns. For example, she repeatedly applied on behalf of a Guatemalan woman to the U.S. Consulate for a visa for the woman’s ailing grandmother so that the grandmother could come to the United States to recuperate. Gohmann used her eight years of Spanish to assist the Guatemalan woman.
Not only did Gohmann develop her foreign-language skills with constituents, she found other means to communicate while campaigning. The Ohio native first made contact with Bean during the summer of 2004, when she discovered Bean’s campaign office in northern Illinois, where Gohmann’s parents lived. Gohmann walked in and asked the workers if they wanted help, and soon she was hitting the campaign trail, eating lunch at Boston Market with Bean and the rest of her staff.
For Gohmann, being a communications intern is “all about personal relationships.” Working with other young people has introduced her to powerful role models, such as Brian Herman, Bean’s communications director.
The 21-year-old spends much of her time producing press releases, talking points and speeches. Bean delivered a speech that Gohmann had written at a senior-citizens expo on identity theft.
Gohmann is finishing her senior year at Georgetown University, where she majors in English and history and minors in Spanish. She is on the board of directors for the College Democrats and is director of alumni relations.
After graduation, Gohmann isn’t sure of her plans. She has applied to law school but is also open to working on future campaigns, possibly on Bean’s reelection effort.
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