The office space was great. My co-workers made it such a welcoming environment where I was always included in the day to day tasks. Being able to work directly with staff and constituants was a fantastic experience.
What I wish was different
Getting paid would have been nice, however only DC interns get paid. I wish I would have been able to gain legislative experience, but that would have required me to be in DC.
Advice
Come in with a positive attitude and a drive to work hard. Do not worry about asking questions, the staff appreciate that. If you work hard and manage to make a great impression, you WILL get noticed and the DC staff will remember you. That can lead to job offers when you graduate or an opportunity to come to DC the next semester.
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Congressional Intern
May - August 2019 • Pasadena, CA
What I liked
For me, this internship was all about refining my interest in government and politics to determine my career path. This internship was an excellent opportunity to learn about and take part in a lot of the bureaucratic work behind the politics we see every day. Also, since part of my responsibilities included answering phone calls from constituents, it was an excellent way to practice patience and tolerance towards those whose views I might not have agreed with.
What I wish was different
Something that I wish had been different was having more work to do in the office, but also work that was not primarily answering phone calls and emails. I do not know what work this could entail, but I wish I could have done something more directly related to policies and lawmaking. Although, this is likely because I worked in my representative's district office and not in her Washington D.C. office.
Advice
A piece of advice I would share is try to attend any events you are invited to outside of your regular internship hours. It is a great way to see and learn about the community you are serving in addition to networking. Moreover, it is a great learning opportunity for yourself and you might even get some unique opportunities. I got a photo with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi!
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Congressional Intern
June - August 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
Everything!
What I wish was different
I wish it had been a longer internship!
Advice
Always be open an accepting to new opportunities, and make sure to always make yourself available to staffers.
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District Office Intern
June - August 2019 • Wilmington, OH
What I liked
Learning about the jobs of the House of Representatives
What I wish was different
I wish there had been more variety of tasks at the office
Advice
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Policy and Communications Intern
May - August 2019 • Sterling, VA
What I liked
I loved learning about the policy aspect of politics! I was surrounded by a very welcoming staff who were always excited to help us and offer us multiple opportunities. I was able to help many constituents through researching casework as well as helping to write constituent letters with a staffer in the DC office!
What I wish was different
I wish I was able to work more one on one with my representative, but I recognize that I may get that opportunity if I work in the DC office rather than a district office.
Advice
One piece of advice would be to take advantage of all the opportunities that the staffers give you to go out to outreach events or attend special meetings for Congressional staffers!
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Press intern
May - August 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
It was amazing to get hands on experience at such a high level of the federal government. On the House Natural Resource Committee, I was involved in committee hearings, agenda setting and policy research.
What I wish was different
Since the office I was in just switched from the majority to the minority, there was less structure but it got better by the time I left.
Advice
Go in and do everything that is asked of you and talk to as many people as you can. Making connections on the hill is super valuable.
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Congressional Intern
January 2019 • Milwaukee, WI
What I liked
I enjoyed learning how to write letters to constituents in a professional setting and learning the daily ins and outs of working in a Congressional setting
What I wish was different
I wish i could have participated in more out-of-office events that the Member put on within Milwaukee.
Advice
Take an internship position in a government office if you can! It's an invaluable experience, especially for poly sci or history majors!
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Communications Intern
May - August 2019 • Glens Falls, NY
What I liked
Opportunity to work directly with constituents
What I wish was different
More time learning how to work technical skills and administrative time
Advice
Jump head-first into it, I learned a ton about my ability to communicate and write persuasively.
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Campaign Finance Intern
June - August 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I enjoyed the fast paced D.C Lifestyle and getting to get a behind the scenes of how the government really works. I also really looked up to the Congressman that I was able to work under, as he had a lot of great advice.
What I wish was different
I wish it had been longer!
Advice
Take advantage of all the people you will meet and connect. Also, be a very personable person!
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Intern
June - July 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I loved being close to what was happening. You see things on the news that happened just doesn’t he hall
What I wish was different
I would liked to have lived closer to the office I worked at.
Advice
Be professional and willing to learn because there’s always something you don’t know
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Congressional Intern
May - August 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
The friendliness, the hardworking attitudes and most importantly the comfortability to ask questions until I can perform tasks correctly.
What I wish was different
I wish I knew how to make connections with staffers and other offices. They let me know but I never really knew how to get started.
Advice
they told me the first day, this job is like drinking from a fire hose. the best advice I could give.
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Congressional Intern
June - July 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I loved being at the core of all the decisions being made for our country. I had the opportunity to attend many important hearings on The Hill and connect with many important people. I also enjoyed my stay in Washington D.C., it is a great atmosphere for young professionals.
What I wish was different
I wish the internship was longer!
Advice
Go into this experience with an open mind, there is so much to learn!
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Intern
May - September 2018 • Cincinnati, OH
What I liked
I loved having the opportunity to expericance what the actual purpose of politics is! It's so easy to forget why we elect politicains, so on the groun work was valuabe.
What I wish was different
I do wish that I have been able to do more work outside the office, I was only able to go on one outing with the Representative but it was fantastic.
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for more work!
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Congressional Intern
September - December 2017 • Washington, DC
What I liked
It was a wonderful opportunity to work in the halls of Congress and learn how the Capitol actually works.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had attended more committee hearings.
Advice
Treat the internship like you are being paid. You will make great connections on the Capitol if you work hard, and will become a valued member of the staff.
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Congressional intern
May - August 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Utilize your network and broaden it during your internship experience. Make genuine connections.
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Congressional Intern
June - August 2018 • Hamilton Township, NJ
What I liked
I liked interacting with and helping constiutents over the phone.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have helped a little more on the legislative side of things instead of solely focusing on constituents.
Advice
When you answer the phone be prepared and ready for anything because you have no idea where the call is going to lead to.
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Congressional intern
June - August 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I enjoyed witnessing the legislative processes and attending congressional hearings and briefings. I also enjoyed the incredible networking opportunities available.
What I wish was different
Advice
Network, network, and network!
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Capitol Hill Intern
June - July 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Take every opportunity you can while in DC. It is the perfect place to learn and develop as a person if you treat it as such
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Congressional Intern
May - August 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
Great office, great staff, great opportunities! It was so much fun to learn about my government and nation's history and interworkings.
What I wish was different
I wish it was paid and that UVA had ways to help unpaid government interns who don't hear acceptances back until early May since most grant and scholarship applications close before you hear back on the job acceptance.
Advice
Meet as many people as possible! It is valuable to make connections.
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Press Intern
June - August 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
Exposure to policy, fast pace, interesting people
What I wish was different
It wasn't the right fit for me, as I'm hoping to pursue journalism after graduation. But it helped me figure that out!
Advice
Make sure you work in an office whose politics align with yours.
