Amy Dudley ’06 is the communications director for Sen. Timothy M. Kaine.
Amy Dudley ’06, communications director for U.S. Sen. Timothy M. Kaine (D-Va.), says that her chance as a Colgate sophomore to “shadow” Howard Fineman ’70 (then Newsweek correspondent, now senior editor for the Huffington Post) during the run-up to the 2004 presidential primaries played a pivotal role in her career exploration.
Dudley was interested in journalism at the time, and after shadowing Fineman she landed an internship in Washington, D.C., for National Journal’s daily briefing on politics, the Hotline. She did not stay in journalism, but she did stay in politics, and she noted in a Colgate Scene profile how Fineman is an important mentor.
During this winter break, more than 300 current students are shadowing alumni as part of the Day in the Life program run by the Center for Career Services. Students are spending time with alumni in a wide variety of fields, including the YES television network, the Brooklyn Museum, Goldman Sachs, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Dudley was in the news this week because Kaine, the former Virginia governor newly elected to the Senate, was inaugurated yesterday. Emma Eckerstrom ’12, shared on Twitter an image of Dudley and Kaine that appeared on the cover of the Metro section of The Washington Post. Dudley also is included in a photo slideshow about Kaine’s day in D.C.
Despite graduating just six years ago, Dudley has a good deal of experience working inside the Beltway. She served as deputy press secretary to Vice President Joseph Biden for two years before working as his press secretary during the recent presidential campaign. She also has worked for U.S. Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.).
Dudley majored in both political science and peace and conflict studies at Colgate. You can see what other alumni with specific majors have done with their degrees in the Success After Colgate database, and also listen to the advice Dudley gives first-years in this video.