Her Campus: What is your position? How long have you held it?
Kara Brighton: My current position is Wyoming Public Service Commissioner. I was appointed by Gov. Mead in March of 2013 for 6-year term.
HC: What are your duties?
KB: There are three commissioners who oversee public commissioner position. These commissioners oversee gas, utilities, and water utilities; approve security filings; and regulate utilities.
HC: Where are you from originally?
KB: I was born in Wheatland, Wyoming, and raised in Kimball, Nebraska.
HC: How did you end up at UW?
KB: My parents are both graduates of UW, and my sister was already there, so I spent a lot of time in Laramie. It was fun!
HC: How did your experience at UW help you get to where you are now?
KB: I have a Bachelors in Small Business Management in 1993, then completed Law School at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. I practiced law for 17 years in the Attorney General’s office in addition to private practice. I learned so many things while practicing law and then was contacted by Governor Mead. The many skills I learned as a lawyer were beneficial in the position I currently hold.
HC: What is the best advice you can offer a woman going into your field?
KB: The two pieces of advice I always give to someone asking how to be successful are: 1. Be prepared, there’s a lot to be said to spend an hour preparing for a meeting so you don’t go into a meeting cold; and 2. Be enthusiastic, to love what you do and take good energy into any position you have or task you are completing. In politics, enthusiasm is an important part of success and could help attract voters.
HC: If a current UW student in your field had more questions about your journey to success, would you be open to talking with them? If so, what is the best way for them to reach you?
KB: Of course! Please reach out to me through kbrighton89@gmail.com.
HC: Is there anything else you would like to share?
KB: Your life is going to take a lot of twists and turns, so don’t be afraid and embrace new opportunities. Your career will change due to other things happening in your life, so don’t get upset with the ultimate goal. Embrace opportunities; things will turn out better than anything you ever planned for yourself. Be open. Young women make a plan in how their life is going to go, and when it doesn’t go that way, it’s hard to deal with that, even though it often turns out better.
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