Internships at national political organizations can introduce participants to campaign operations, political research, public messaging, and administrative processes. Zacharia’s experience at the Republican National Committee represented an early connection to national Republican political institutions.
She also completed an internship with the White House Office of Political Affairs during the administration of President George W. Bush.
The Office of Political Affairs has historically served as a connection between the White House and political organizations, elected officials, and other political stakeholders.
Her internship provided exposure to the political operations of the executive branch during a Republican administration.
These experiences established an early pattern in Zacharia’s career: involvement in organizations that combine political communication, institutional relationships, and public affairs.
Early Professional Work at Pepperdine
After graduating from Pepperdine’s undergraduate program in 2007, Zacharia worked as an assistant to the university’s president, Andrew K. Benton.
She held this position from 2007 to 2008.
Working in the office of a university president can involve administrative coordination, institutional communications, scheduling, and support for university leadership. The position placed Zacharia within the administrative environment of an institution where she had recently completed her undergraduate studies.
Her continued relationship with Pepperdine became a recurring feature of her professional career.
In 2011, while completing her legal education, Zacharia served as a research assistant to Jim Gash, a member of Pepperdine’s law school faculty.
Academic legal research commonly involves examining judicial decisions, legal scholarship, statutory provisions, and other sources relevant to legal questions.
