Dan’s Declassified “Hilltern” Survival Guide

The Hilltern Survival Guide

            After a summer working on the Hill, I won’t pretend to sit here and know everything about what it is like to work there. Three months is simply not a long enough period of time to understand the complexities of the Hill. But, I have picked up on a few tips which may come in handy for those working in D.C. to help them survive the rollercoaster ride that is the day in the life of a Hill intern or “hilltern”.

Me (looking extra red), my incredible staff assistant (in the pink),

 the other intern (the one cheesing on the end),

and Kevin McCarthy at the Annual Intern Party 

(Drunk Mo Brooks was one of my funniest D.C. experiences)

1    1.)    Be a “yes” man/woman

Always being willing to help your bosses or do anything they ask without complaint or hesitation. I’m not saying to suck up to your bosses (sorry but I prefer to be slightly brash), but understand they are going to ask you to do really meaningless tasks and you’re going to have to complete them. But, how you complete them determines if they trust you with more complicated and important tasks in the future. Enthusiasm in doing those annoying tasks and doing them really well will put you on the fast track to writing memos, staffing meetings, and attending hearings. It’s all about trust. The more they trust you, the more you get to do.

2    2.)    Befriend the Staff, not the Boss

Some people, when they are thinking about making connections, think there is no better way to get places than to go for the one and only Boss, the Congressman/Congresswoman or the Chief-of-Staff. This method, as our esteemed and eloquent President would say, is “fake news”. The running joke for me and my interns is that we don’t know how our congressman is because we’ve never seen him. Your congressman/congresswoman isn’t going to remember you; it’s really just not going to happen. Who will remember you though is the staff assistant and the legislative assistant you chat with on a daily basis. Getting to know the LA’s and the lower level staff will be far more valuable because those staff will be promoted across the Hill. The more you do to help them, the more they will remember you when they are in a position to make stuff happen, like hiring you. Plus, it’s easier than you may think! Most of them are under 25 so they are really easy to relate to and fun to be around. (see intern party pic above)

3    3.)    Be Polite, Be Professional, and just be yourself

Be professional at all times but just be you. Too many people try to put on a façade while they are on the Hill. I see it every day in interns acting more important or are trying to portray themselves as way more impressive than they really are. You can get places the more real and polite you are with people. Also realize that people are going to be rude and mean to you. You’re not only a bottom of the totem pole intern but you also happen to be the face of the congressman for all those really happy people who call their congressman/congresswoman (that’s a lie, no one who is happy calls their elected official). It can be rough but if you maintain that professionalism and are always polite, your bosses will notice and good things will begin to happen.

4    4.)    Don’t be afraid to pull the “intern” card

Don’t be afraid to say that magical phrase which can fix all your problems, “I’m just an intern.” It’s perfectly ok to say that to almost anybody on the Hill. It’s literally the greatest get out of jail free card that is totally acceptable to play every once in a while.

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5    5.)    There are no stupid questions

This may sound cliche, but it’s true. It’s always better to ask than assume because as yet another cliche saying goes, “to assume makes and ass out of you and me”. There may be things as simple as what issue a constituent’s complaint would fall under, but it is always better to ask your staff before doing anything because doing it wrong the first time will create more of a hassle in the end. Additionally, asking questions is the only way to learn. The more you ask, the more you become familiar with the habits in your office and the way things are run, the sooner you fit in. Also, I have never been told by a staff member that I shouldn’t ask them a question. They were always very receptive to everything I asked. 

5    6.)    Enjoy the Experience

Interning on the Hill has been like nothing else in my entire life. Each day as I walk to work, passing the Capitol Dome as it glows in the light of the rising sun, I am humbled. Words cannot express the feelings of pride, of gratitude, and of pure excitement at the fact that I am able to look at that building, the one that’s on the news every night and where so much history has transpired, and say I work there. It is a once in a lifetime experience to work on the Hill, to get to see the human side of the Hill, and to see history unfold from the front lines. It is an utter privilege to serve the nation from the Hill, to represent those in your district who feel like they have no voice. So, don’t forget to take that second every once in a while on your way to work and relish your current position. Reflect on the experience and enjoy it. It's not every day you get to say that you worked for the US Congress.  

Me on a dome tour. It's the best view in the city for those who can handle heights.

This list isn’t the end all be all of surviving the Hill. But hopefully you won’t consider my perspective completely irrelevant and take something away from this brief guide on how to survive life on the Hill. Which, at times can seem like a lot to handle. But if you keep calm and carry on, as well as trust you bosses, you will be fine.

By: Dan Sonnefeld