He encourages students considering public service to remain open to opportunities, pursue meaningful work and approach their careers with a spirit of service. “Don’t let the tone of today turn you off for the future or cause you to become despondent,” Chambers said. “We need good, principled people who come with an attitude of service.”
For Micah Chambers, a career in the U.S. Senate began with a psychology degree, a few “curiosity” classes at Cedarville University and a willingness to say yes to a campaign internship. Chambers, a 2008 Cedarville graduate, was recently named chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota after nearly seven and a half years on Cramer's staff. In his new role, Chambers oversees the senator's office and works with its legislative and communications teams.
An Unexpected Starting Point
Chambers graduated from Cedarville University in 2008 with a degree in psychology. Chambers initially planned to become a psychologist but realized during college that he did not want to pursue the doctoral degree required for the profession or work as a counselor.
Rather than change majors or add another year to his degree, Chambers became intentional about his electives, exploring communication, political science and international studies. He eventually earned a minor in international studies. “I took a lot more classes at Cedarville that were curiosity classes, for lack of a better word,” Chambers said.
Those courses helped Chambers develop an interest in government and public policy while strengthening the communication skills he would later use in Washington.
The Opportunity That Opened the Door
After graduating from Cedarville in 2008, Chambers accepted a friend's invitation to intern on a U.S. Senate campaign in Virginia. The campaign was unsuccessful, but the experience introduced Chambers to Washington and showed him that public service could become a career.
“That kind of got my foot in the door,” Chambers said. “I've been here ever since.”
Before joining Cramer's Senate staff, Chambers worked at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he worked closely with Cramer during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives. Chambers later joined Cramer's Senate office, managing two legislative portfolios before becoming legislative director. After seven and a half years as legislative director, Chambers was asked to take on a new role.
“Having been in this office kind of as the number two for seven and a half years at that point, Senator Cramer asked me to take over as his chief of staff,” Chambers said.
Serving Beyond Policy
The responsibilities of a Senate chief of staff vary by office and senator. For Chambers, the role includes overseeing legislative and communications work, managing the senator's priorities and helping ensure the office remains connected to the people it represents.
“Sometimes when you get really absorbed into your policy world, you lose touch with the people that you’re actually serving,” Chambers said.
For Chambers, that responsibility is part of what makes public service meaningful. His career has taken him from a psychology classroom at Cedarville to the center of federal policymaking, but he said service remains the common thread.
A Career Shaped by Service
Chambers said his Christian faith continues to shape the way he approaches his work and his responsibility to others. One biblical lesson has become his motto: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry,” from James 1:19. For Chambers, this call has become an important reminder in a climate that is marked by personal attacks and divisive commentary.
He encourages students considering public service to remain open to opportunities, pursue meaningful work and approach their careers with a spirit of service.
“Don’t let the tone of today turn you off for the future or cause you to become despondent,” Chambers said. “We need good, principled people who come with an attitude of service.”