Internship: U.S. House of Representatives
Term of Participation: Spring 2019
What was your role during the internship?
I learned a lot about how the system of government works and what happens when you call your Congressperson. I also found it rewarding and educational to attend briefings. The majority of my job was dealing with constituents, either over the phone or in person. I was responsible for Capitol tours, constituent correspondence, etc.
How did your internship influence your career goals?
I hadn’t initially decided to pursue politics and now my career is geared towards public administration.
What is an exciting memory from your time in D.C.?
I was able to meet a lot of high-level staffers in Congress by going to lots of different offices.
One day, I had gotten out of class early and decided to attend the National Museum of African American History and Culture alone. The tickets were difficult to get, but past 2:00 p.m. they would let standby’s in. It was one of the most enriching and enlightening experiences of my life to see a history that I had only learned about in upper-division history courses be on display for public consuption.
How did living in Washington, D.C. change you?
I grew up in the suburbs, so making the transition to living in a metropolitan area was nerve-wracking. That being said, I had a wonderful time getting acclimated to the city and the public transit systems. It has helped guide my policy passions while looking for a job in government.
What advice do you have for future students?
It is important to know that finding the internship is up to you. Also, despite the websites claiming that you need to apply six months before an internship, most offices are taking interns on a quarterly basis, so be sure to send an email even if the deadline has passed.