Open to opportunities

Conor Goodwin

@conorgoodwin

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Policy intern focused on research, stakeholder support, and practical political outreach.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for an opportunity to apply policy research and analysis skills in a state-level environment, collaborate with stakeholders, and contribute to data-informed outreach and communications with measurable impact.

I’m a policy intern for the Office of Governor Josh Stein, where I conduct policy research and analysis to support the Governor’s policy team on state-level issues and executive priorities. I also participate in meetings with policy advisors, departments and agencies, and external stakeholders—taking notes for the team when needed—and help with initiatives like the Governor’s Rural Listening Sessions.

Before this role, I built hands-on political and community engagement experience through the Watauga County Democratic Party, serving as Senior Outreach Consultant and leading canvassing operations, including overseeing door-to-door canvassing and on-campus voter registration shifts. I also supported data-informed communications work as a Communications Intern and strengthened my research capabilities as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, using R to analyze data and help produce a manuscript on public opinion and police use of force.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Policy Intern

Current

Office of Governor Josh Stein

May 2026 - Present (3 months)

Conducts policy research and analysis to support the Governor’s policy team on state-level issues and executive priorities. Participates in stakeholder meetings and supports initiatives including the Governor’s Rural Listening Sessions.

Communication Skills Policy Research Research And Analysis Stakeholder Management note taking Time Management

Senior Outreach Consultant

Watauga County Democratic Party

Jan 2026 - Mar 2026 (2 months)

Provides strategic guidance and hands-on support for community engagement, voter outreach, and field programs during the 2026 primary campaign cycle. Supports campaign operations as Democratic candidates advance to the general election.

Communication Skills Organization Community Engagement Voter Outreach Time Management

Deputy Operations Director

Watauga County Democratic Party

Aug 2025 - Nov 2025 (3 months)

Assists the Operations Director in supporting operations for the Watauga County Democratic Party during the 2025 Boone municipal elections. Leads and supports canvassing and on-campus voter registration shifts, recruits volunteers, and staffs county party events.

Organization Operations Support Canvassing Voter Registration Volunteer Recruiting Time Management

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Appalachian State University

Jan 2025 - May 2025 (4 months)

Assists faculty in a study of public opinion regarding police use of force and community expectations. Conducts literature review, performs statistical computations and R-based analyses, and supports manuscript production.

Research And Analysis literature review Statistical Analysis R Data Analysis Manuscript Support

Canvassing Director

Watauga County Democratic Party

Aug 2024 - Nov 2024 (3 months)

Oversees door-knocking and canvassing operations for the 2024 election cycle. Leads countywide efforts that supported Democratic statewide candidates and related local outcomes.

Organization Canvassing Community Engagement Time Management

Communications Intern

Maven Strategies

Feb 2024 - Nov 2024 (9 months)

Supports clients with digital communications, including drafting fundraising event emails. Updates a master spreadsheet with fundraising and email performance data such as amounts raised, contributions, and open rates, working with campaigns primarily in North Carolina.

Email Drafting Fundraising Communications Open Rate Tracking Time Management Communication Skills

Deputy Canvassing Director

Watauga County Democratic Party

Sep 2023 - May 2024 (8 months)

Supports canvassing operations prior to promotion to lead the Watauga County Democratic Party’s canvassing work. Assists with tasks relevant to the canvassing director role.

Communication Skills Organization Canvassing Community Engagement Time Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Appalachian State University

Bachelor of Science, Political Science - Public Administration

2023 -

Grade: 3.96 cumulative GPA; Summa Cum Laude (2026)

Activities and societies: Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society); Government and Justice Studies Departmental Honors; Government and Justice Studies Department Outstanding Senior Award (2026); Honors thesis: “Lawful but Awful? Exploring Community Expectations in Police Use of Force.”

Earned a B.S. in Political Science (Public Administration) from Appalachian State University, with a 3.96 cumulative GPA and Summa Cum Laude honors (2026). Completed an honors thesis titled “Lawful but Awful? Exploring Community Expectations in Police Use of Force.”