If you told Clare Thomsen, MPP’24, three years ago that she would end up working in a women’s shelter leading groups about sex work advocacy, she wouldn’t have believed you. But after completing her MPP degree with a concentration in women, gender, and sexuality at Heller, her passion for social justice led her to a career as a Commercially Sexually Exploited Persons (CSEP) Advocate at Victory Programs, where she is making a tangible impact on the lives of underrepresented women every day.
Finding Purpose in Public Policy
After graduating from Suffolk University in 2022 with a bachelor of science degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, with dual minors in Art History and Gender Studies, Clare was uncertain of her exact career trajectory, but knew that the roles she was most interested in within public policy would require a higher level of education. Heller’s MPP program was top of mind as she considered the next step in her career. “I wanted to see where Heller would take me, what I would learn, and what organizations I could connect with. I was also drawn by the legacy of the school and its staff—once I learned I could concentrate specifically on gender and sexuality while learning from prominent experts in this space, the choice was easy.”
During her two years at Heller, Clare held an internship at the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce (MALGBTCC). As a Graduate Research Fellow, she spearheaded the creation of the MALGBTCC Business Guide to Pride, which addresses and informs those in the business community about how and why to advocate for and support their LGBTQ+ employees and peers. “I knew I wanted to continue doing work like this that can be truly applicable and make a difference in our community.”
From Research Fellow to Advocate
After graduating from Heller in May 2024, Clare took on a full-time role at Victory Programs, a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families navigating homelessness and substance use disorders. As a Commercially Sexually Exploited Persons Advocate, Clare assists women at The Willows transitional housing, especially those involved in the sex industry, with access to social services, long-term housing, and medical care. She also helps residents facilitate activity groups, community activities, and advocacy organizing within and around Willows.
“At Heller, I understood the pressing issues in our society, but now, beyond the classroom, I see and work with the depth and breadth of these problems that affect people like my residents every single day. I now have a completely new awareness of the policies in place that are working against these individuals, and understand how and why they need advocacy.”
The position’s focus on commercially sexually exploited persons is directly in line with Clare’s studes at Heller and her thesis, “In Pursuit of Self-Ownership: The Decriminalization of Sex Work and What ‘Bodily Autonomy’ Really Means,” and allows her to directly help members of this community. “I get to be a voice for people who are so often disregarded or ignored by the systems at work. I know that I took everything I learned and focused on at Heller and have turned it into a lifelong career and commitment to service.”
Advice for Current Students
Find what fuels you: “When I came to Heller I knew what I was passionate about, but I didn’t have a specific career in mind. I quickly learned what did and didn’t serve me and my goals. This helped me to figure out how I could combine my skills and interests to make a career that I feel passionate about and confident in as opposed to a job that just pays the bills but doesn’t inspire me.”
Advice for Prospective Students
Be realistic and true to yourself: “Heller is a place for people who have a mission in mind, so being cognizant of your interests, skillset, and goals when entering the program is essential. Know what you want out of your time at Heller, but also allow yourself to be open to new ideas and opportunities. If your intentions are true and you're genuinely interested in making a difference in some capacity, you will.”