Ryan Aamodt: Ambitious Grad Student and Aspiring Politician

Name: Ryan Aamodt

Age:  21

Year:  I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Florida State University in May 2013, and I am currently a first year master’s student. 

Major:  During undergrad, I double-majored in political science and international affairs. Currently, I am earning my master’s degree in public administration and public policy with a focus in local government.  

Hometown:  Wilmette, Illinois – 45 minutes north of Chicago. 

Relationship status:  Happily taken to the best girlfriend in the world. 

How would you describe yourself in three words?  

Driven, honest and loyal. 

You seem like an ambitious guy, what are your career aspirations?  

Government has always interested me since I was a child. Living in the Netherlands gave me a deep appreciation of government, especially American government. Given that appreciation, I decided to seek a career in government. The experienced I garnered in Leon County government solidified my decision to someday run for a public office.  

Grad school probably keeps you pretty busy, but what do you like to do when you’re not hitting the books?  

When I’m not studying, I tend to spend my time with my beautiful girlfriend. I like to spend my time fishing, playing sports and rooting for my Seminoles. I also “coach” the Trinity United Methodist softball team.

If you had an entire day to do anything, what would you want to do?

The perfect day for me would be waking up and spending a couple hours on the beach or lake fishing, then spending the day at Universal or Disney World with the people I love, then ending in the evening tailgating and going to an FSU football game. 

Dogs or Cats?  

DOGS! I have (my parents have) a Bernese mountain dog named Emma. She is nine years old, although she will always be a puppy to me, and I love to spend as much time with her as possible when I go home. She is, and always will be, the background picture on my phone. 

Favorite song?

A Woman Like You by Lee Brice and Southern Girl by Tim McGraw.

Who is your celebrity crush?  

Zooey Deschanel, especially in the movie Elf.

What traits attract you to a girl?  

Loyalty, honesty, kindness and confidence are all very important characteristics to me. Also I’m a sucker for blondes!

What are some of your biggest turn-offs?  

Rudeness, flakiness and any girl who relegates themselves to any one stereotypical or “cookie-cutter” mold. Also, girls who use an excessive amount of hashtags. 

Describe your perfect date!

Going with my date to the shooting range for a couple of hours, then going to a nice restaurant and my favorite bar would be a perfect date.  

If you could relay one message to the entire population of girl-kind, what would you say to us?

I would say to all girl-kind, as I would to everyone in general, get involved, serve your community and remember that one voice can make a difference.