CNN iReport

Governor Sarah Palin has inspired me. My background is engineering but I have also organized grassroots campaigns in support of nuclear power and other energy issues. I've been told by many people, including some elected officials, that I should really think about getting into politics and seeking public office. I've always said that I wouldn't do that but Palin has caused me to rethink the situation.

My perception of politicians has been that to be effective, even the most well-intentioned people get sucked into the system of playing the same old games because it is the only way to get things done. I've seen it personally in local politics and I saw it in Washington, DC while I was working for the nuclear industry's trade organization. While I consider myself socially moderate and fiscally conservative, my opinion from spending time in Washington is that neither party is better than the other; both play the games that benefit themselves and lobbyists more than the American people.

Palin's history and accomplishments are phenomenal, inspirational and have caused me to seriously reconsider my own options. She is a normal person that didn't decide at age 22 to be a politician but found later that seeking elected office was the only way to effect the change she believed was necessary in her community.

And remarkably, through talent, intelligence, persistence and a commitment to do what is right for her city and her state she has emerged as a person who can get things done. She didn't just talk about change, she made it happen. And she is a renegade in taking on corruption in her own party.

I can't claim that my talent and skills could ever match Palin's such that I can aspire to be Vice-President of the U.S., but she has demonstrated to me that a committed woman can create the change she would like to see without sacrificing her core values and beliefs. For the first time, I'm thinking of following in her footsteps.