Ariana Graham

Ariana Graham

DC Action
Executive Assistant

Ariana was placed with DC Action, a policy and advocacy organization that works to improve opportunities and outcomes for children, youth, and families in Washington, DC.

In her role, Ariana provides critical support to the CEO in addition to their board and organizational operations. She initially joined DC Action in a temporary capacity as the organization established this newly created position.

Due to her exceptional performance, professionalism, and strong work ethic, she quickly became an invaluable member of the team and was hired permanently.

In the Q&A below, Ariana reflects on her temporary-to-hire experience and shares insights from her career journey through The Choice at DC Action.

As an Executive Assistant, I provide high-level executive administrative support to the Executive Director of DC Action, a youth advocacy organization. My primary responsibilities include managing the Executive Director’s complex calendar and priorities, coordinating meetings and logistics, and supporting higher-level administrative initiatives and projects. I also assist with project management and ensure key priorities, deadlines, and follow-up items are effectively coordinated and completed.

Working with The Choice team was an exceptional experience. I’ve worked with other temporary and temp-to-hire agencies in the past, but I’ve never experienced a team that was as organized, professional, and supportive as The Choice. Allison and Larissa made the entire process—from the initial interview through placement—seamless, clear, and well-organized. Every interaction was positive, and I genuinely felt that they had my best interests in mind throughout the process. Their communication, guidance, and support made the hiring experience extremely smooth and contributed to my overall success.

As someone who has worked in the administrative field for many years, this Executive Assistant role represents a natural progression in my career. It has allowed me to build on the advanced skills and experience I’ve developed over the years and apply them in a more strategic, senior-level capacity. This position has strengthened my confidence in providing high-level executive support, managing complex priorities, and contributing meaningfully to the success of an executive and organization. I see this role as both a reflection of my professional growth and an opportunity to continue expanding my skills and impact.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to make in a relatively short time with my organization. I completely overhauled and streamlined the Executive Director’s calendar, which had previously been difficult to manage and frequently resulted in double-bookings.

By implementing a more organized and strategic approach to calendar management, I’ve helped create a more efficient schedule that allows the Executive Director to focus on mission-critical priorities while also preserving productive blocks of uninterrupted time. Seeing the immediate impact that stronger calendar management has had on her ability to manage her time and priorities has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

I would highly recommend working with The Choice to other job seekers. Having worked with other temporary and temp-to-hire agencies in the past, I can genuinely say that The Choice stands out. What impressed me most was their consistent, clear communication throughout the entire process, along with their weekly check-ins and ongoing support.

The Choice truly cares about the success of their candidates and takes the time to ensure that each placement is a strong match for both the candidate and the employer. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with their team. They went above and beyond to make sure I was happy and supported in my new role and organization, and I truly believe they helped facilitate an excellent match.