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She Entered With an Interest. She's Leaving With a Calling.
When Zakia Safsaf enrolled at the City College of New York to study political science and international studies, she had a clear sense of what interested her academically, but she was far less certain about where those interests might lead. She knew that public service appealed to her—but was it truly the right path?
Two years as a Moynihan Fellow and three internships, including one last spring on Capitol Hill, helped her arrive at an answer.
“Over the past two years, I was able to successfully answer the question I had when I first applied,” she reflects. “Is public service for me? The answer I arrived at is yes—it is.”
That quiet certainty may be the most significant thing the fellowship gave her, and it did not come from studying public service at a distance. It came from direct access to spaces where policy is created. Zakia joined the program as a freshman, drawn to its commitment to civic engagement. She had not anticipated that she would have the opportunity to engage with policymakers and be part of conversations that showed her how public institutions work from the inside.
“The thing that I most valued from my time as a fellow was the access that was granted to me to be part of the conversation,” she says. “I was given multiple opportunities to be in the room where discussions and often policy debates are happening. This helped me see different perspectives and value dialogue as a way to discuss our differences.”
That ability to listen to and engage with different perspectives proved essential as Zakia moved through a series of increasingly substantive internships.
Zakia Safsaf pictured with NY Senator Chuck Schumer
At the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, she learned about engaging with constituents through community outreach and the role of municipal government in serving diverse populations. At Senator Chuck Schumer’s New York City district office, she gained firsthand experience with constituent casework. This past spring, Zakia spent the semester in Washington, D.C., working with the senator’s legislative team and observing how political leadership operates on a national stage. Each of these experiences has offered a different view of public service.
“On the Hill, I was able to see how being in leadership adds a responsibility to balance not only the needs of one’s constituents, but also one’s caucus,” Zakia says.
The internships also changed how she saw herself within those spaces. “On a personal level, all these internships have strengthened my self-confidence as well as my public speaking skills,” she adds.
As Zakia gained experience, she also began to think more deliberately about where a career in public service might take her. She credits her fellowship mentor, Dr. Tatiana Carayannis, with helping her navigate the less visible side of that process: unpacking the complex landscape of early-career pathways and opportunities.
“She is approachable and makes herself available whenever I have a question or need advice,” Zakia says. “I was able to build a valuable relationship with her as she helped me better understand early career steps in IR and the United Nations ecosystem.”
This guidance helped turn a broad interest in international affairs into a more concrete understanding of the field and of the preparation it requires.
This summer, Zakia continued building that foundation at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy as a fellow at the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute. The program allowed her to deepen her understanding of the quantitative aspects of policymaking, an area she identified as increasingly important during her time in elected-office settings.
She is on track to graduate from CCNY in Fall 2026. From there, she will decide whether to pursue graduate school or move directly into a career in either public policy or international relations. The exact route remains open, but the larger direction no longer does.
For students considering the Moynihan Fellowship, Zakia’s advice reflects the lessons she has learned in each room she has been fortunate enough to enter.
“Always keep an open mind,” she says. “Prepare to listen and critically assess not only why the other side thinks the way they do, but more importantly, what shapes the perspective you yourself hold.”
She adds further encouragement: “Never be afraid to ask for help or advice. Your answer might be just an email away.”