Armed with a passion for multi-perspective debate and an appreciation for civil discussion, MyKaela Johnston will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Arts from Society, Ethics, and Law (SEAL) through the Department of Philosophy. Although originally interested in political science due to her fondness for law and advocacy, she decided to switch to the SEAL major after a conversation with an adviser.
“The department promised to help me develop the skills necessary to understand central concerns of humanity and learn how to articulate them,” Johnston said. “Since my freshman year, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the many perspectives and approaches that shape how people think and live. Philosophy has taught me to appreciate the complexity of different worldviews and to approach problems with a more open and analytical mindset. No matter the specific topic or discipline, every course I’ve taken has encouraged me to evaluate competing theories, question assumptions, and to think critically about moral and legal issues.”
Johnston participated in the Glasscock Summer Scholars Program, which provides humanities students tools to pursue their research interests under the direction of a faculty adviser. Through its intensive two-week program, Johnson not only developed her writing skills, but also interacted with faculty who helped her showcase the connection between sociological processes and economic frameworks.
“The curriculum and program allowed me to engage in faculty-directed research,” she said. “I got to design my own study, conduct a literature review and write an undergraduate thesis on the impact of social media on labor unions. It helped me discover the areas of academia I’m most passionate about and shaped me into the student leader I am today.”
Following this interest in social processes, Johnston engaged in the Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP), a program in which Aggies travel to Washington, D.C., for an internship to learn the role policy plays in industry.
“Through PPIP, I had the opportunity to live in Washington, D.C., and work full time in an advocacy office where I applied what I learned in the classroom to real-world policy work,” Johnston said. “This experience showed me how I can use my voice to amplify others and inspired me to pursue a master's degree in public policy after graduation.”
Johnston has also served as vice president of the Legislative Relations Commission for the Texas A&M Student Government Association. She conducted policy research, drafted legislation, and met with members of the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress to advocate for Texas A&M students.
“Our efforts contributed to the passage of Senate Bill 1567, which became law,” Johnston said. “It helped to ease the student housing crisis by removing occupancy restrictions in College Station and other Texas college towns. This experience taught me how powerful student voices can be in shaping meaningful policy change, and it will help me advocate for education and social policy in the future.”
The skills Johnston developed through her philosophy education, both inside and outside of the classroom, have helped her succeed both personally and professionally. As she looks towards a career in public policy, Johnston carries not only her philosophical curriculum, but also her professional relationships and research-driven mindset, enabling her to approach situations with a well-rounded perspective.
“This degree enables me to approach problems with an evaluative mindset as I question assumptions and think critically, which is a strong foundation for policy analysis,” Johnston explained. “I encourage any student to take a philosophy course. It will challenge the way you think and help you see the world from entirely new perspectives. It has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.”
