Commit to your passion
Julie Smith
Julie Smith (AB ’00) helps remove financial barriers for students.
At a glance
Julie Smith (AB ’00) works as an external and government affairs executive for Verizon.
Through the department of political science, Julie interned at Georgia’s State Capitol. The internship helped solidify her desire for a career in politics.
Julie secured her first job even prior to graduation as a result of her internship. Those key career steps eventually catapulted her to the office of Governor Sonny Perdue before her current role at Verizon.
She gives to the SPIA Fund, which offers support for student organizations, undergraduate study abroad scholarships, events and lectures within the school.
“I never want finances to be a barrier for a student trying to pursue an opportunity while at UGA, whether it’s study abroad or an internship.”
Julie Smith
Internships set many students on paths to meaningful careers, and Julie Smith’s was no exception. Today, Julie works as an external and government affairs executive for Verizon. She attributes much of her success to the opportunities afforded to her at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), most notably her internship at Georgia’s State Capitol. She now gives back so students can take advantage of similar internship opportunities without the worry of financial obstacles.
Julie gives to the SPIA Fund, which offers support for important networking opportunities – through student organizations, events and lectures – that help SPIA’s students connect with future and current professionals in their fields of interest.
“I feel like I’ve been extremely blessed in my career and I want students to have the same opportunities I had,” Julie said. “To me, the best way to make sure that happens is to invest my own time and resources.”
“I never want finances to be a barrier for a student trying to pursue an opportunity while at UGA, whether it’s study abroad or an internship.”
Julie and her former boss, United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue (DVM ’71).
Julie and Trenton Smith-Chasteen (AB ’01) at the Dawg Days Tailgate before the UGA-Notre Dame football game in South Bend, Indiana.
While a student, Julie secured an internship at the State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, where she served under Rep. Sharon Trense. As the legislative aid for Rep. Trense, the political science major did “basically anything and everything she needed,” from attending meetings on her behalf to researching healthcare issues and crafting key pieces of legislation.
“Being able to get to know a lot of state legislators and other staff really catapulted my career,” Julie said. “One of the representatives that I got to know from my time at the Capitol – current Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens – actually recommended me for my first job that I started three days after finishing classes at Georgia.”
Julie’s internship gave her the confidence to seek more mentors who could help prepare her for a career in politics. After finishing her internship, she connected with then-UGA President Michael F. Adams when she returned to Athens. Adams, a former chief of staff for U.S. Senator Howard Baker and U.S. House nominee for Tennessee’s Fifth District, provided Julie with further insight into her desired career path.
“It really meant a lot to me that the president of the university took the time to meet with an undergraduate student to give some professional advice,” Julie said. “It’s a memory that I treasure 20 years later.”
Today, as an external and government affairs executive for Verizon, Julie spends her days traveling from city to city, speaking with leaders in local and state government in communities across the country. Julie’s job is to advocate on behalf of her company on issues affecting the company and their customers – a perfect fit for someone with a love for politics. She also helps Verizon identify worthy nonprofit organizations to support.
Traveling remains one of her favorite aspects of the job; she enjoys forging new relationships on the company’s behalf. Especially close to her heart are the connections Julie has made between Verizon and organizations in her home state of Georgia.
“Having the opportunity to represent Verizon in front of government officials and community leaders is an amazing opportunity,” Julie said. “I feel very grateful that Verizon trusts me to represent such a powerful brand in front of critical stakeholders to our business.”
“It’s a really great company to work for; I’m very blessed!”
-Written by Josh Mixon ’19
What’s your cause? 100 percent of undesignated gifts to the Georgia Fund go to scholarships, allowing talented students in your field to pursue their education and discover how they can make an impact on the world.
