New UGA graduate goes to Washington

Speaking to nearly 13,000 people at a recent University of Georgia undergraduate commencement exercise didn't unnerve 22-year-old Justin Golshir, a graduate who recently received dual degrees in international affairs and finance.

"I just encouraged the graduates to live life with what you get and live a life with what you give," said the 2001 Lakeside High School graduate. "I encouraged them to continue to give back to those who follow us."

Golshir, who applied to speak on behalf of his classmates, received a bachelor's degree in business and finance from the UGA Terry College of Business and a bachelor in arts in international affairs from the UGA School of Public and International Affairs.

After his December graduation and a brief break for the holidays, Golshir headed to Washington, D.C., to serve a fellowship with U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. Golshir is spending the spring semester serving as Chambliss' foreign policy and national security fellow.

"I had such a wonderful experience with the T. Sanders internship last summer," said Golshir, who served as an intern with the Federal Affairs Division of Troutman Sanders Public Affairs Group in Washington in 2005.

During that internship, he conducted research and prepared briefs on issues relating to international trade, agriculture and energy.

As only the second student selected to serve in the Chambliss fellowship, Golshir will be involved in a broad range of issues and activities in the fields of international affairs, security policy and intelligence oversight.

"I just had a lot of exposure to Washington last summer and I feel really confident to be doing this fellowship," said Golshir, the son of Alexander Golshir and Mary Ann Golshir, of Martinez. "I'm really going to go up there with an open mind. I really want to go up there and work as hard as possible and do what I can."

Golshir hopes to attend Georgetown University Law School in Washington.

"For me, it's such a great education to have," said Golshir, who served two international internships as president of AIESEC, a University of Georgia international internship exchange program for students interested in commerce and economics. "The knowledge of laws and the skills you learn will be invaluable."