8 things to know as you transition from OSU to DC

1. Everyone moves so fast
• DC has two sides of an escalator, right for standing and the left for walking up the ~moving~ escalator. It is a cut throat experience if you mess this up. We are in the East Coast.
• Everyone is in their speed walking shoes at all times and be sure to leave for places early because traffic is rough and the metro can be late. Also watch out for bicyclers, they have almost tramped me on multiple occasions.

2. Interviewing people about their whole life isn't creepy
•  Information interviews, as we call them, are a really an excuse to learn everything about a person, in intricate detail. For the purpose of learning about their career path and how you should proceed but to be honest they can seem creepy at first, but people do love to talk about themselves.

3. Everyone enjoys politics
•  Politics is linked to so many jobs in some way that it is almost a necessity to follow it. Also, it is hard to not follow it when a lot of the big stories are happening right outside your front door.

4. Tennis shoes and business causal is the norm
• In the summer the dress code tends to be toned down just due to the sheer heat and humidity. Thus business causal is the norm attire. Also DC is a public transportation based city, lots of people metro, walk, or bike, to work which leads to it being the normal to wear your tennis shoes to work and change. Pro tip helps with blisters and you won’t look silly.

Photo of me in my business attire taken during a study tour at the roof of CQ Roll Call. 

5. Your bags get checked on the regular
• Be prepared to have TSA level security in a majority of places you enter. Be ready to remove your belt and potentially shoes. Ladies, bring small bags when you know you are going through security. 

   Pictured above are two versatile bags of mine, the larger can fit my tennis shoes and items I need for work and class, while the smaller is perfect for outings on the weekends.

6. It’s not just you, everyone’s feet hurt
• I thought coming to DC and hearing you walk a lot I would be fine because I walk everywhere at OSU’s campus. Well I was wrong; I wear comfy shoes and still manage to have aching feet by the end of the day.

7. The public transportation doesn't suck (comparatively)
• The Metro is going through some issues right now with Safe Track but compared to the COTA bus it is reliable and clean! You will learn to love and hate it at times but it is accessible and gets you places in a reasonable amount of time.

8. OH doesn't automatically follow with an IO (but you'd be surprised) 
•  Unlike OSU’s campus not every OH you through out will get you an automatic IO but buckeye nation is strong in DC. Never be ashamed of your Ohio roots and use that to start conversations with people as well as network!

-Emily Saleme
WAIP Summer 17'