The Unstoppable Aman Islam

The moment Aman Islam ‘24 arrived at Pace, he was ready to get going.

As a second-year student, Aman has already built an impressive resume working on the campaign for Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and interning for Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer’s district office.

Speaking with Aman, you get the sense that nothing can slow him down. He even conducted our (virtual) interview through a case of COVID-19, waving a hand and saying, “I’m feeling better today.”

As a political science major, Aman wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunities you can only find in New York City. During his first year at Pace, he joined the campaign for Mark Levine as Manhattan Borough President and had the experience of a lifetime, saying, “It was probably the most influential thing I’ve done thus far. A lot of Pace students were on the campaign with me. It was all about building that organizing experience that is helping me to do other opportunities now.”

Opportunity begets opportunity and working on Levine’s campaign opened up the door for Aman to work in Leader Schumer’s office. Aman explains how a connection from Levine’s campaign introduced him to the internship. “Me getting that internship as a freshman helped me get this internship as a sophomore.” After a rigorous application process, he was chosen as an intern—and it was time to get back to work.

Of course, with an ongoing global pandemic, Aman and the other interns had to adapt. As an outreach intern, Aman spent his time reaching out to different organizations and coordinating virtual events for the Senator. Even in a remote environment, Aman gained unique insights into the dynamics of such an influential government office. “I really saw how politics and government are sometimes different,” he says.

“Me getting that internship as a freshman helped me get this internship as a sophomore.”

After months of working virtually, Aman finally met the Senate Majority Leader. He recounts, “I got to sit in a room with a whole bunch of people from different colleges around the city. Seeing myself there, in this coveted internship with people who go to Columbia and Princeton, just shows the opportunities you can get regardless of who you are.”

Currently, Aman is focusing on his studies, but is considering returning to the internship, and he (and Senator Schumer) both think more Pace students should apply. According to Aman, “The Senator said to me, ‘We need more Pace students like you to join the program.’”

Aman insists, “If you’re in the political science field, even as a freshman, go apply to these internships, because I had so many great opportunities thus far and I’ve built such a network among people in my field already. It’s super influential and it’s definitely going to get me places... The possibilities are endless now that we’re back in-person. Just go for it.”