John Taylor Donoghue    

Class of 2009

1. What is your current profession?

I work as an Outreach and Casework Coordinator for a US Congressman’s office.  Basically, it’s my job to help people navigate issues with different federal agencies, and to create and organize events for my boss to go to.

2. What year did you graduate? Were you here for all four years of high school?
I graduated in 2009, and spent all four years at Tuscarora.

3. What do you remember most about Tuscarora High School? What were some of your favorite memories?

I remember a lot about high school, but specifically, I always look back on the classes that inspired me to do what I do today.  A lot of the classes I took my junior and senior year were classes I had fun in, and I didn’t see them as just classes.

4. Who were some of your favorite teachers?

I’d have to say both Mr. Gray and Mr. Zitrick were pretty influential on me.  I usually credit them with helping me find out what I wanted to do after college, and I genuinely enjoyed the content of both classes I took with them.

5. Were you a good student in high school?

I like to think I was.  I always studied hard and did the work to the best of my ability, and because of that I got pretty good grades.  I felt prepared to go onto college at the end of high school, so I think I did pretty well.

6. When did you decide to go into your current profession?

I decided to get into my job after college, when I met my boss and was offered an internship pretty much on the spot.  I spent 5 months as an intern before being hired on.  I already was really interested in politics, so working there felt natural.  I want to be a teacher, and will probably end up doing that at some point in my life, but I like where I am now.

7. If you attended college, what college (s) did you attend? What did you major in? If not, what did you do after high school?

I went to Salisbury University from 2009-2013, and majored in History and Secondary Education.  I’m hoping to go to Graduate School soon as well.
8. What does a typical day consist of for you?

There really isn’t a typical day in my job.  I usually wake up at about 7 and get ready to leave for my office.  When I get in around 9, I get on my computer and spend the first hour or two contacting federal agencies and constituents to update them on where their case stands.  I work on 4 major agencies: Department of Education, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Department of Labor.  After doing my daily checks (sometimes these can take all day) I plan for events.  I’m responsible for contacting invitees, building special guests, finding venues, and pretty much anything else you can think of.  I usually hold meeting with different advocacy groups, mostly in education.  I got to Board of Education and County Council meetings when appropriate, and serve as a direct point of contact for my boss.  My day is usually a 9-11 hour day, Monday through Friday.

9. What sort of hobbies do you enjoy?

I am big into Ice Hockey.  I have been playing since 6th grade, and played all through college.  I also love doing things outdoors, including hiking and rock climbing.  I love to travel too.  If I had my way, I would live near a body of water, because I would always be doing something on the water.

10. Based on your life experiences, what is one piece of advice you would give to a current Tuscarora student?

It probably sounds really cliche, but make sure you do what you love, in all aspects of life. Enjoy where you work and what you do, and when you have a day off do something you love. Being happy should never be underestimated.