Political Science Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight : Elizabeth Ryan

Elizabeth Ryan is the Business Continuity Analyst for BlueCrossBlueShield of South Carolina. She works with over one hundred business units that comprise BlueCross Blue Shield of SC on planning for interruption of work due to a natural or manmade hazard event.

Education/Work History

Elizabeth Ryan graduated from College of Charleston in 2002 with a major in Political Science and minors in Spanish and Religious Studies. Upon graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Chicago and worked on several successful political campaigns which ranged from a municipal election to a statewide re-election campaign for United States Senate. After deciding that government was her true passion, she completed a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in local government at Northern Illinois University. The degree came with the great experience of a two year internship with a municipality on the North Shore of Chicago, and that taught her a good deal about the daily machinations of running government operations. Upon graduation in spring of 2006, and missing the warmth and charm of South Carolina, she accepted a position with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) as a Hazard Mitigation Planner. After a few months, the job of State Individual Assistance Officer opened, and she was selected to fill that position. In June of 2008, she applied and was chosen for a position with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina as a Business Continuity Analyst. In her current position, she works with the more than one hundred business units that comprise BlueCross BlueShield of SC on planning for interruption of their work due to a natural or man-made hazard event.

How the political science degree helped get her to where she is today.

“The degree that I received in Political Science truly helped to shape my view of the world. It helped me to be able to identify the things that I value and to be able to follow what I believe is important. Professor Moore was my first introduction to political science in the American Government class I took during the Maymester after my freshman year. I knew after the first few days of Professor Moore’s engaging style that political science was something I could get excited about. Over the next few years, as I learned more and grew within the major, I realized that this was where my true passion could be found. From the program I learned the rewards of working diligently toward something I am passionate about. I have worked to let those principles guide my choices since graduating from College of Charleston, and I attribute much of my current success to what I learned in the Political Science program.”

Advice to current political science students

“To current students, I would say to enjoy every minute. You are learning and absorbing information about the world and yourself that you may not even tap into until long after you have received your degree. I would also say to use the networks that are available to you and do not be afraid to try something different. Many of you will probably have many jobs, and even careers, and each one will likely teach you new things about where you want to go. Do not be afraid to take a risk to get the reward you are looking for. “