King of the Hill: Making the Most of an Internship on Capitol Hill
By Jacob Perry
I have had some truly amazing experiences on the Hill as an intern with my member of the U.S. House of Representatives. To describe myself as a “political enthusiast” would be an understatement- I am still excited about the fact that my walk to work every morning takes me right past the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the Capitol. I am thoroughly enjoying my experience so far, and I already have a working list of tips and tricks for future Hill interns who hope to also make the most of their experience. From the practical to the philosophical, and in no particular order, here they are:
Be professional.
This should go without saying, but it is remarkable how casual and almost sloppy some of your fellow interns will be when they arrive for work on days when you’re not in session. I’ve heard staff talk amongst themselves about that intern in the hall who looked like he was on his way to a frat party rather than a Congressional office- don’t be that intern. Save your Patagonia and Bean boots for the weekend and follow the lead of the senior staff in your office. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and come in overdressed.
Be inquisitive.
You are there to learn! In my experience so far, everyone in the office appreciates that you’re likely not being paid, and they want to help you learn and experience as much as you can while you’re around. Don’t be afraid to ask questions all day long, no matter how dumb they may seem to you. Practically everyone has to earn their stripes as an intern first, so people understand where you’re coming from and are happy to oblige. You can learn all about the different jobs staffers hold and life on the Hill from different positions if you’re willing to simply speak up. This leads me to my next point…
Assert yourself.
Washington, D.C. is full of ambitious, “type-A” people constantly looking for the next opportunity to advance their career. Networking is the name of the game, and I find that it helps if I maintain a similar mindset at work. Your day can be fast paced and you’ll have all sorts of opportunities if you’re willing to take them. The only way you’re going to get to speak personally with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, for example, is if you’re willing to walk right up to him before his talk and introduce yourself. Some of my coolest experiences only happened because I pushed myself in this way.
Embrace your unique role.
As an intern, you are for all intents and purposes “staff”. It’s crazy, but this entitles you to almost all the privileges of the paid staff in your office as far as where you can go in the Capitol. For the most part, unless there are signs that read “Members Only”, you can go basically anywhere in the Capitol- do it! Go poke around those stairwells off from the Rotunda that say “authorized personnel only” or something, because you’re totally allowed to take it all in! That little orange badge is essentially an all-access back stage pass to the greatest legislative body in the history of mankind…remember that. The best part of your unique role as an intern is that you’re allowed to go lots of places, but you’re not expected to know all the rules- so if you happen to get in an elevator with a Senator, chances are they’ll be nice to you since you don’t know any better. Obviously this doesn’t mean you should waltz right onto the floor of one of the chambers, but it does mean you can explore quite a bit without much fear of being reprimanded.
Be friendly.
Being friendly costs you nothing and makes life so much easier in general, but especially in the Capitol. The Capitol Police and all the various workers you’ll encounter are some of the most helpful people you’ll ever meet, and they’re more than willing to help you find the flag office when you’re lost or get your member’s bill dropped off to the correct cloakroom if you’re willing to ask. A smile and some genuine appreciation will go a long way.
Represent well.
You represent your program, your university, your member, your state, your nation, and ultimately yourself from the moment you set foot on Capitol Hill- remember this! You owe it to yourself to be at your best and work hard to represent well. There is a direct correlation, for example, between quality of staff led tours from a member’s office and votes for that member. The little things matter, and you want to make a good impression in all you do.
Keep your ears open and your mouth shut.
You’re going to hear all sorts of chatter from staffers, constituents, lobbyists, and even other members- so be discreet and trustworthy. People have real problems that they’ll bring to your office to solve, and you owe it to them to keep their business private. You can learn an awful lot by paying attention to what’s discussed in the office, but some parts of your experience are simply not meant to be shared with everyone you know.
Play the part.
When people come into the office for a meeting or a tour or call with a concern, you are the face of your member’s office. People don’t know that you just arrived in Washington a few weeks ago, so don’t let them know with your demeanor! Be professional and confident, and make people feel taken care of. No one will guess you’re a complete newbie unless you broadcast it to them by appearing incompetent. This doesn’t mean you should pretend to know everything, but it does mean that you can project a can-do attitude and willingness to be of service.
Be yourself.
My previous tip may make it seem as though I’m encouraging interns to be disingenuous, but nothing could be further from the truth! At the end of the day, you’re doing yourself a favor if you’re authentic and don’t take yourself too seriously. You remember people in your life who are genuine and put themselves out there, so the same should be true of staffers you work with. Get to know those who work in your office and let them get to know you! You’re all in this together, and in a sea of faces you’re more likely to be remembered if you’re authentic and memorable.
By Jacob Perry
I have had some truly amazing experiences on the Hill as an intern with my member of the U.S. House of Representatives. To describe myself as a “political enthusiast” would be an understatement- I am still excited about the fact that my walk to work every morning takes me right past the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the Capitol. I am thoroughly enjoying my experience so far, and I already have a working list of tips and tricks for future Hill interns who hope to also make the most of their experience. From the practical to the philosophical, and in no particular order, here they are:
Be professional.
This should go without saying, but it is remarkable how casual and almost sloppy some of your fellow interns will be when they arrive for work on days when you’re not in session. I’ve heard staff talk amongst themselves about that intern in the hall who looked like he was on his way to a frat party rather than a Congressional office- don’t be that intern. Save your Patagonia and Bean boots for the weekend and follow the lead of the senior staff in your office. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and come in overdressed.
Be inquisitive.
You are there to learn! In my experience so far, everyone in the office appreciates that you’re likely not being paid, and they want to help you learn and experience as much as you can while you’re around. Don’t be afraid to ask questions all day long, no matter how dumb they may seem to you. Practically everyone has to earn their stripes as an intern first, so people understand where you’re coming from and are happy to oblige. You can learn all about the different jobs staffers hold and life on the Hill from different positions if you’re willing to simply speak up. This leads me to my next point…
Assert yourself.
Washington, D.C. is full of ambitious, “type-A” people constantly looking for the next opportunity to advance their career. Networking is the name of the game, and I find that it helps if I maintain a similar mindset at work. Your day can be fast paced and you’ll have all sorts of opportunities if you’re willing to take them. The only way you’re going to get to speak personally with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, for example, is if you’re willing to walk right up to him before his talk and introduce yourself. Some of my coolest experiences only happened because I pushed myself in this way.
Embrace your unique role.
As an intern, you are for all intents and purposes “staff”. It’s crazy, but this entitles you to almost all the privileges of the paid staff in your office as far as where you can go in the Capitol. For the most part, unless there are signs that read “Members Only”, you can go basically anywhere in the Capitol- do it! Go poke around those stairwells off from the Rotunda that say “authorized personnel only” or something, because you’re totally allowed to take it all in! That little orange badge is essentially an all-access back stage pass to the greatest legislative body in the history of mankind…remember that. The best part of your unique role as an intern is that you’re allowed to go lots of places, but you’re not expected to know all the rules- so if you happen to get in an elevator with a Senator, chances are they’ll be nice to you since you don’t know any better. Obviously this doesn’t mean you should waltz right onto the floor of one of the chambers, but it does mean you can explore quite a bit without much fear of being reprimanded.
Be friendly.
Being friendly costs you nothing and makes life so much easier in general, but especially in the Capitol. The Capitol Police and all the various workers you’ll encounter are some of the most helpful people you’ll ever meet, and they’re more than willing to help you find the flag office when you’re lost or get your member’s bill dropped off to the correct cloakroom if you’re willing to ask. A smile and some genuine appreciation will go a long way.
Represent well.
You represent your program, your university, your member, your state, your nation, and ultimately yourself from the moment you set foot on Capitol Hill- remember this! You owe it to yourself to be at your best and work hard to represent well. There is a direct correlation, for example, between quality of staff led tours from a member’s office and votes for that member. The little things matter, and you want to make a good impression in all you do.
Keep your ears open and your mouth shut.
You’re going to hear all sorts of chatter from staffers, constituents, lobbyists, and even other members- so be discreet and trustworthy. People have real problems that they’ll bring to your office to solve, and you owe it to them to keep their business private. You can learn an awful lot by paying attention to what’s discussed in the office, but some parts of your experience are simply not meant to be shared with everyone you know.
Play the part.
When people come into the office for a meeting or a tour or call with a concern, you are the face of your member’s office. People don’t know that you just arrived in Washington a few weeks ago, so don’t let them know with your demeanor! Be professional and confident, and make people feel taken care of. No one will guess you’re a complete newbie unless you broadcast it to them by appearing incompetent. This doesn’t mean you should pretend to know everything, but it does mean that you can project a can-do attitude and willingness to be of service.
Be yourself.
My previous tip may make it seem as though I’m encouraging interns to be disingenuous, but nothing could be further from the truth! At the end of the day, you’re doing yourself a favor if you’re authentic and don’t take yourself too seriously. You remember people in your life who are genuine and put themselves out there, so the same should be true of staffers you work with. Get to know those who work in your office and let them get to know you! You’re all in this together, and in a sea of faces you’re more likely to be remembered if you’re authentic and memorable.
This Summer Cleveland will play host to what promises to be the most contentious Republican National Convention in more than a century.
ReplyDeleteMedia credentials alone, have already surpassed all records. And reservations in yet uncompleted hotels, are already sold out.
But Cleveland has a problem. The city’s national perception is mired in a brutally-accurate acknowledgement of its’ place, among cities ‘least likely’ to have a vacationers appeal.
Cleveland does have a scant few things which are truly unique. One, is their current cultural resource, in fine artist, Marc Breed.
On July 16th at 9PM, on the newly-refurbished mall, directly in front of Terminal Tower/Horseshoe Casino, a public performance piece will take place, to an estimated crowd of some 3,500 people.
“Not the easiest artist to anticipate, we can only assume, that whatever happens, people will discuss this event for decades to come.” –Crain's Business News
Reserve your spot for this most secretive endeavor created by an artist who works across the bounds of artistic media. And has absolutely fewer boundaries yet, in what he feels appropriate.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2520318
Should you have any unique artistic qualifications, be able to keep this project a sworn secret, be willing to work for peanuts, and tolerate a dictitorial task-master; you may forward a bio [with media]. You can be assured, that on your deathbed, this particular evening will be one of very few memories etched clearly in your minds.