Musical Chairs by Keely Veatch

At my internship, we play musical chairs. Okay, not actually. But interns do move around a lot. I work in a shared office space with anywhere from 1 to 5 other people each day. I tried to claim a specific desk as “my space,” but sometimes I walk in and find another person sitting there, so I find another open work space which may or may not “belong” to another employee. Sometimes people rush to get into the office so that they can claim “their” seat before anyone else. It’s reminds me of playing musical chairs.

It can be challenging not having a designated desk to work at every day. At first, I didn’t always know if and where I could leave an extra pair of shoes, coffee mug, or blazer at work. I would creatively search for a free space to leave materials for incomplete projects. At the beginning of my internship I didn't feel settled because I continually moved around, but sharing a work space serves as one of many important lessons in adaptability that I’ve learned during WAIP.

The small shared room is like a microcosm of D.C. The city is constantly shifting and changing. Each day offers different political actions, job openings, events, and more.  As a WAIPer, you will play a multitude of roles: roommate, intern, student, developing professional, friend, etc. Each day in Washington will require that you shift between these roles swiftly and frequently. It's important to practice mindfulness about the attitude, attributes, and behavior you bring to each situation.

As an intern, you may plan your day ahead of time, but come into the office to find five emails regarding new, urgent tasks. You will need to prioritize and adjust to the demands of each day. You might come into work and need to adapt a project to the passing of new legislation from the day before (hint: read the news, stay informed).

            As a student, you will need to prepare to focus in class after a long day at work. But also anticipate an early dismissal on occasion. Perhaps you’ll spend Friday morning engaging in a light-hearted, casual study tour, and then adjust your demeanor to enter a federal government building on Friday afternoon.

            As a developing professional, your network will expand and blossom in just a few short months. You should enter each new relationship professionally, but you may find that some relationships evolve into friendships or mentorships, rather than strictly professional. You might schedule an informational interview, only to receive a last-minute cancellation. Appreciate and accommodate the time of those willing to share their experiences with you.

            As a roommate, you will come home each day carrying the stress or excitement (or both) of each day. Learn to adjust your habits so that you are taking care of yourself and respecting the needs for others to practice self-care too. If you’ve had a stressful day at work, maybe go for a walk or call a friend from home before addressing any housekeeping concerns. But also enjoy the time you have to live with the individuals in your unique cohort.

            During WAIP, you maintain many of the identities that you’ve developed as a student on campus, but you will gain a variety of new identities, roles, and attributes in Washington, D.C. You will encounter trials, mistakes, and successes as you adjust to a new city, a new job, and new roommates. Maybe you will even master the metaphoric game of musical chairs. WAIP will push you beyond familiar boundaries, but embracing flexibility will serve your future goals and development well.