Thursday, December 3, 1998
Former councilman gives hope to future politicians
SPEAKER: Edelman speaks to students about new career
opportunities
By Teresa Jun
Daily Bruin Contributor
Former Los Angeles City Councilman and County Supervisor Edmund
Edelman spoke to a group of UCLA students Tuesday about pursuing
careers in government and politics.
About 20 political hopefuls were in attendance at Bunche Hall
for the Political Science Student Organization’s (PSSO) first
lecture in its "Careers in Political Science" series.
Edelman discussed the new challenges facing aspiring
politicians, while offering advice and encouragement and sharing
his deep background in local politics with the group.
"Today, you face some negatives in government that I never
faced," he said.
"Government service (used to be) a high calling," Edelman said
of the 1940s and 1950s, a time during which he feels the government
played a more obvious role in public service.
"Though there was some criticism, elected office was held in
much higher esteem than it is today," he said.
"When you’re a leader, you’re supposed to lead, not be a
follower," he said, emphasizing the importance of "doing the right
thing" in government service.
Politicians today often try to say what’s popular instead of
what really needs to be done, for the sake of re-election, he
said.
In spite of new challenges, aspiring politicians today meet
myriad new opportunities, Edelman said.
He lauded current internship programs as a good way for students
to get involved in politics.
"It’s very valuable to be close to the process, meet people, and
see it firsthand, rather than just read about it in books," he
said.
Sharing his own political background and 30-year career as an
elected official, Edelman described his experience in government
service as worthwhile and satisfying.
"I got to help people solve problems, make important decisions,
and I got a chance to do it my way," he said, noting the creation
of the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court in Monterey Park as one
of his proudest accomplishments.
"Before, kids who had done nothing wrong were sent to the
criminal courts building in downtown for hearings (such as adoption
and child abuse)," he said.
That can be a scary place for kids, but they had to go there
because that’s where the judges were, Edelman said. Now the
separate children’s courthouse handles these cases.
Saying there is "so much satisfaction to be gained from working
for the government," the retired politician urged his audience to
pursue government opportunities by getting involved in all levels
of politics.
"Choose a party and volunteer in a campaign; help a party you
believe in," he said, noting political candidates and officials can
always use help.
After serving 10 years as a city councilman alongside the late
Tom Bradley, Edelman, also a UCLA alum, became a member of the
board of supervisors where he served for 20 years.
Now, Edelman is a senior fellow of the Research and Development
(RAND) Corporation, a non-profit think-tank in Santa Monica
originally created after World War II to promote U.S. military
research.
Today, the RAND Corporation conducts research in various
areas.
At RAND, Edelman offers advice on how to make good use of
research findings in policy decisions.
Students said they found the two-hour talk helpful and
informative.
"It was really educational, and it served a good purpose," said
Steve Davey, a first-year political science student, who plans to
become a political consultant and campaign manager.
"It helps political science students know that there are jobs
out there besides just teaching and law school," he said.
PSSO officers were also satisfied with the event’s turnout.
"I was pretty happy with it," said Grey Frandsen, chair and
founder of the organization and a third-year political science
student.
"It was a wonderful, intimate group, and Edelman did a nice job
of incorporating everyone."
Tuesday’s lecture kicked off a series of events planned by the
PSSO this year.
Organizers of the PSSO, a student group created earlier this
quarter, anticipate future lectures to expand on the options
available in the field of political science and how to obtain
specific jobs.
"Our goal is to bring in people from outside, even alumni, who
can show students career paths that are different from ones that
the faculty know, and in addition to the pre-law path," said
professor David Wilkinson, faculty advisor for PSSO.
"(Tonight’s lecture) was excellent," he said. "It was a smashing
success!"DAVID HILL
Longtime Los Angeles politician Edmund Edelman speaks on the
career opportunities available for political science students.
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