Her Story
About Sophie
Sophie Martin serves as the Governmental Affairs and Policy Director for Region 10 of the California Association of Student Councils, overseeing the Orange County area. In this capacity, she organizes student advocacy conferences, prepares research on issues such as college counseling and educational policies, and guides peers in developing proposals presented to state officials. With approximately 2 years in civics advocacy, Martin previously volunteered as head judge for the Orange County Debate League, served as an Orange County Human Rights Ambassador with Groundswell, and participated as a Fellow for the Institute for Youth and Policy. She founded her own non-profit, Project Fair Care Health, under the Dragon Kim Foundation, which conducts mobile healthcare pop-ups including mammograms and blood testing to advance health equity in Orange County. Martin has earned the United States House of Representatives Certificate of Congressional Recognition and the County of Orange Certificate of Recognition for her dedication to civics. She attributes her achievements to a passionate, go-getter approach and a strong commitment to fully dedicating herself to her work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sophie
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success so far has really just been the result of being really passionate about something and like going and getting what I want. I approach things with the mindset that I'm going to make this happen for myself rather than just hoping it will happen. Being a go-getter and putting in the effort and time to make things happen.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The greatest piece of feedback that I've ever received has been if you're not facing struggle, if you're not really being like wow this is difficult, then you're not trying hard enough. Things aren't supposed to be easy. You're supposed to be facing those struggles, you're supposed to learn how to overcome them, and you shouldn't be discouraged by them.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The biggest piece of advice I would give is not to be discouraged when you're faced with no. Rejection is truly redirection. A lot of the things that I've been able to do has been the result of being rejected from something else. Keep going with the flow, keep trying, and not let a no or roadblock make you feel like you're not doing enough.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is that youth organizations have a lot of goals but people get lazy with the mechanism for getting those goals done. It can be hard when working with people who aren't as much of a go-getter, but that's all part of the learning experience.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Commitment is probably the biggest value that I have. If I'm gonna do something, I'm really gonna commit myself to it. I don't do things halfway. I do it the full way, go the full mile, and give 100% no matter what.
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