---
title: "How I Got Here: Tammy Barnes"
id: "34333"
type: "post"
slug: "how-i-got-here-tammy-barnes-2"
published_at: "2016-08-01T07:10:11+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-16T17:06:25+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/08/01/how-i-got-here-tammy-barnes-2/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/08/01/how-i-got-here-tammy-barnes-2.md"
excerpt: "Tammy Barnes, the director of operations for the State Advocacy Office of the American Psychological Association, has come a long way from Kmart."
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  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "careers"
  - "Leadership"
  - "mentorship"
  - "New to Associations"
  - "Professional Development"
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  - "Article"
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  - "Director"
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taxonomy_persona:
  - "Early Career"
---

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 » How I Got Here: Tammy Barnes

Tammy Barnes began her working life as a cashier at Kmart right after she got her work permit at 15. Even today, as director of operations for the state advocacy office at the American Psychological Association, she uses lessons from her previous jobs to better serve her members. Here are highlights from her career journey.

“When that door of opportunity opens to you and you get in, reach back and pull someone up with you.”

**1999-2002:** Cashier at Kmart

**2002-2006:** Salesperson at Sheetz

**2006:** Intern at the White House in the Office of the First Lady

**2007-2010:** Policy Assistant, Public Interest and Science Government Relations Offices at the American Psychological Association (APA)

**2010-2011:** Program Coordinator, Office on Socioeconomic Status at APA

[ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

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 [#mentorship](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mentorship/)
 [#New to Associations](https://associationsnow.com/tag/new-to-associations/)
 [#Professional Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/professional-development/)

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