Close, but no cigar...

The results are in. There will be no California Assembly or Senate Fellowship in my future. Although not the outcome I would have preferred (obviously!), there is comfort in knowing with some degree of certainty which direction my path will now take. That is a post that will be written in the short-term future, but for now, here is the sad news as it was delivered to me.

First, from the Assembly program:

May 19, 2008


Mr. Michael Althouse
Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your interest in the Assembly Fellowship Program. It was a pleasure speaking with you and hearing about your accomplishments and interest in public policy. Regrettably, we are unable to offer you a position as an Assembly Fellow.

As you are aware, there were more than 250 individuals who applied to the program. The 75 applicants who we chose to interview were highly competitive, making the selection committee’s decision very difficult.

I encourage you to continue pursuing opportunities in public policy formation and the political process. Talented individuals such as you are essential in shaping California’s future.

On behalf of the California State Assembly, California State University, Sacramento, and the 2008-2009 Assembly selection committee, I thank you for taking the time to meet with us. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Consuelo Hernandez

Consuelo Hernandez
Program Director

And then from the Senate program:

May 19, 2008


Michael Althouse
Fair Oaks CA 95628

Dear Michael:

Thanks so much for meeting with the Senate Fellows selection panel. Although you are a very impressive individual, I regret that you are not among those selected as 2008-2009 California Senate Fellows.

The panel’s decisions were extremely difficult because of the outstanding group of candidates. As one of the 69 applicants interviewed, you were selected from a nationwide pool of more than 340 candidates.

California faces many difficult public policy issues and needs the help of talented and committed people like you. I hope you will choose a career path that allows you to pursue your interest in public policy work.

Finally, on behalf of the California Senate and Sacramento State University, I congratulate you with respect to your academic achievement and record of community service.

Sincerely yours,

David

David Pacheco, Director
California Senate Fellows


Finally, my resume will receive an additional kudo:

"Finalist, 2008/2009 California Senate Fellows & California Assembly Fellows"


It's time to turn the page...