AYS Alumni Council Spotlight: Lauren Taylor

ATLANTA — Lauren Taylor (B.A. ’18, M.A. ’22) has had an interesting mix of educational experiences in multiple colleges at Georgia State University that she now applies to shape policy at the highest levels of government.

Taylor, who graduated as a dual political science and economics major with a concentration in international affairs, credits Georgia State’s unique location and opportunities for setting her up for success.

“The proximity to places like the Capitol opened up incredible internship opportunities,” Taylor said. “I worked for the Georgia House Democratic Caucus because of this advantage.”

Although her degrees were centered in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Taylor was a student in the Honors College, through which she held a research-focused assistantship that prepared her for graduate school. She also interned with state Rep. Stacey Abrams during Abrams’ last year as House Minority Leader in the Georgia General Assembly, serving as her legislative aide.

Taylor’s career path has been anything but conventional. Now she’s a strategic communications analyst for the Energy, Resilience and Sustainability division of Concurrent Technologies Corp. In this role, Taylor develops and implements strategic communication plans for Department of Defense clients, managing campaigns that translate complex energy and climate initiatives into accessible information, while collaborating with military installations and stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.

“I am probably the perfect example of ‘It’s not how you get there, it’s where you end up,’” she said, referencing her nine-month stint at Chick-fil-A as a hospitality supervisor. This experience became an intriguing talking point in job interviews and helped land her current position.

One of Taylor’s proudest achievements is a policy paper she wrote that was presented at The White House. This accomplishment she attributes to the value of her education at Georgia State, which shaped her professional capabilities.

Taylor’s decision to join the AYS Alumni Council stems from a desire to give back.

“I felt it was time to start pouring back into the people, organizations and programs that helped set me up for success,” she said.

As the social and civic engagement chair for the council, Taylor finds the networking opportunities particularly rewarding.

“The council is full of so many talented and incredible people with diverse backgrounds who hold major policy positions and do so much work for the state of Georgia and the school, specifically,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at Georgia State, Taylor acknowledges the profound impact her experiences as a student have had on shaping her worldview.

“My opinions and beliefs are more informed now than if I had not been to Georgia State and been around so much diversity,” she said.

This is why she advises students to take full advantage of the resources available at the Andrew Young School.

“Remember what you’re in school for, but don’t let opportunities pass you by because you get so caught up in the work,” she said. “Learning responsibilities and how to manage your time are skills that you’ll need as an adult.”

Are you an alum of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies? To connect with alumni like Lauren Taylor, learn more about how you can get involved with the AYS Alumni Council and stay updated on AYS news and opportunities, click here.

- By AYSPS Graduate Student Assistant Ayomidotun Olugbenle (M.A. in Political Science)