Jay Nair: 19 years old and in politics

Interview with Jay Nair, a 19 year old Operations Coordinator for the governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson.

Solange: What are some of the things that your governor wants to improve in Arkansas? What are his key point of views?

Jay: The focal points of his agenda and his campaign are one and the same--keeping promises, strengthening education in the state of Arkansas, lowering taxes at a rate we have never seen before, creating jobs which has led to a record unemployment, and putting in place proper Medicaid expansion. He has delivered on just about every promise that he gave in 2014, and that's shown. He's one of the most popular governors in the US for a reason, he delivers and is brutally honest.

Solange: What made you interested initially in working for the governor or how did the opportunity come up?

Jay: Political campaigns are tricky because some are extremely big and well-financed, and some are small and looking for cash on hand. This one is unique because it is small and well-financed, so I would have the opportunity to work intimately with a team that could do a lot of what a big campaign would do. That was extremely attractive to me. It came up as we became friends with his campaign manager in 2014, and I told him I was here for the summer and he said the campaign could use an extra hand. Therefore, I signed up and got put on the staff right away.

Solange: What did you have to do to get the job/ how you got it/ the process it took to get it?

Jay: I interviewed with him over the phone, and then I went in and talked to the Communications Director, the Political Coordinator, and then this cycle's campaign manager. After that, they called me back about a week later offering me the internship. I took it and started about two weeks later. It was fairly simple and just like any other job. This part of the process stays the same for the most part.

Solange: What was the whole campaign process like? (Nerve-wracking, intense, amazing, etcetera)

Jay: Campaigning is very crazy due to a whole variety of things-- a legislator you have been strongly aligned with may have been doing some dicey things for example, or maybe your opponent gets national attention for something they say or do-- things are just extremely volatile compared to most jobs, and a lot of the work for everyone is extremely tedious as well. Even the campaign manager will be putting up yard signs just like the rest of us, or he will have to make phone calls to coordinators across the state that we may have to usually. It's been very fast-paced and every day is important, I can tell you we have been looking at the calendar a lot more lately.

Solange: Are you planning on going into politics? Did you initially before taking your gap year?

Jay: As of now, I have no idea, it has just been something I've been interested in for as long as I can remember, but I'm certainly open to it. Politics is obviously something that affects literally everyone in this country, so there are not many career paths where you have the ability to make that change.

Solange: What were some of your duties - can you give some specific examples as to what your job required doing?

Jay: So for example, I will have to work with different coordinators we have throughout the state to make sure we have enough volunteers or signs at an event we are doing the following week, or I will have to mail out bumper stickers to people who request them, or I will have to keep a list of various things for the governor to reference--it definitely ranges and there are no shortage of things to do on a campaign. Often, it means working extra time and the normal 9-5 gets thrown out the window.

Solange: What does this opportunity mean for your future?

Jay: I think more than anything I know a lot of people now who are laying the groundwork for Arkansan politics for the next 20 years. It's really invaluable to have that network and to also be able to see where this state is going. For me, personally, it has also shown me how to tactically position a candidate against other opponents when you have to. It's kind of like a cage match in that way and it's amazing getting to work with them.

Solange: What was it like working for him?

Jay: The governor is insanely nice. He and the First Lady have often times gone out of their way to talk to me or make me feel comfortable if we are in a multitude of situations, and that is something I really did not expect. Obviously you get the impression that a lot of these politicians are airheads and their egos are massive, and often times, that is true, but definitely not with Governor Hutchinson. I think people have an innate sense to see who is genuine and who lies, and he definitely does not do that. I think that's why he's so likable.

Solange: What did you do when you won?

Jay: We had a victory party for the primary with many guests so I was actually more concerned with that and also we were in the "War Room" counting up the vote totals. The governor and all of us with his family were in a private suite and we were all very light-hearted. It was definitely a memorable moment.

Solange: What made you decide to take a gap year?

Jay: I personally had not lived with my father for two years, so I wanted to be able to see him again, and I wanted time to develop other interests. Throughout high school, I didn't get real-world experience or read books that I wanted to, and now, I got to do that. I took that for granted and I didn't want to go to college trying to major in something that I had no real-world experience in and ending up hating it.

Solange: It seems like you’ve got great experience working for the governor + you just got accepted for USC! Do you think taking a year off was the best decision for you?

Jay: Absolutely. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am young for my grade also, so it doesn't make me feel too old for when I become a freshman this year. I think the experience I got and being able to travel and see my family for a year was something I can't ever take back, and nor would I choose to. It also was nice not having to constantly worry about school for a year and be able to learn whatever I want at my own pace. It's often times tricky staying motivated, but if you do, it's just that much more rewarding.

Solange: What would you recommend to those thinking about a gap year, college, and/or simply their future after high school?

Jay: If you want to take a gap year, I think it's quite frankly the best choice post-college, because you will get real-world experience in something you want to do, and I think that's more valuable than just about anything you can learn in a classroom past a certain point. However, it can be expensive so that is something to consider if you going to do something that doesn't involve receiving income. Also, PLAN PLAN PLAN. Plan it out early so you don't end up wasting time. I did that for a couple of weeks between traveling and working and I wish I didn't.

Solange: Is there anything you wish you did differently?

Jay: I wish I planned it out earlier and that I started working on the campaign earlier, but other than that, no. It was a great year and 4 years of high school, and well maybe that I came to Newport Harbor earlier. I think also starting to get real-world experience in what I wanted to do would have also helped, but I'm still not completely sure of what I want to do so that can be tricky.

Solange: When are you coming back to California?

Jay: June 20 for orientation, then gone for a couple of months, then back in August for four years!

Solange: Any last words before the end of the interview?

Jay: Thank you so much! I wish you the best and thanks for letting me reflect on the last year or so.

* Asa Hutchinson has already served one term as governor and right now he is running for reelection.

And readers, that concludes of our interview with the legend, Jay Nair.