Erica Shabnam, a student at Rutgers University, is merging her interests in public policy and information technology to address technological inequities. Her journey began with a personal experience involving her father’s struggles with a government-issued cell phone. “My father’s income qualified him for a cell phone through an assistance program,” she recalled. “But he quickly realized that the cell phone was only reliable for a 2 or 3-minute call before the device would crash.”
This incident fueled Erica’s determination to pursue reforms that support economically disadvantaged communities. At Rutgers, she is majoring in Public Policy and Information Technology & Informatics (ITI). “The ITI major is very people-focused, and I believe that’s an essential aspect of policymaking,” she explained.
Initially hesitant about attending Rutgers, Erica now values the opportunities it offers. “Rutgers turned out to be one of the greatest decisions of my life,” she said. She was inspired by her older brother, a Bloustein public health graduate, and after exploring different options within Rutgers, she found her path in public policy.
Erica credits Dr. Debra Borie-Holtz as one of her most impactful mentors. “I met her my freshman year when I applied to be part of her Aresty Research Project,” said Erica. Her internship with the New Jersey Senate Majority Office further solidified her interest in state-level policymaking.
Looking ahead, Erica aims to work as a legislative staffer focused on technological innovation and digital access issues. She advises students interested in public service to explore public policy courses at Rutgers: “It’s a comprehensive major with a variety of courses that target different policy areas.”
“I also learned how to adapt my writing and communication skills more efficiently for a policy or public service-oriented space,” she concluded.
