Keeping up with the Lobbyists

When you are in D.C. you meet a ton of smart people.  This summer I work at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, where a whole team of experienced lobbyists work to further the interests of American wholesale companies before the U.S. government.  So when I sit in on meetings discussing strategy, politics, and the daily movements of Congress I am often lost in the shuffle.  This is true of so many different internship sites; whether they are Congressional staffers, political operatives, advocacy workers, or lobbyists, the professionals of this city are totally in tune with what's going on and it sometimes feels like they are operating on an entirely different level.  For example, when I walk into a meeting and the staff starts talking about this week's "FSGG hearing" or how "CMR" is going to vote on this bill it takes me a second to know what's going on (for those wondering, FSGG stands for the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations subcommittee and CMR is Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the #4 Republican in the House).

So, how can you thrive in this information environment?  Here are some tips:

1. Figure out what the pros read and start reading that too:  For example, at WSWA one of the main issues is tax policy, so I subscribed to Politico's Morning Tax Briefing, an email newsletter which everyone in my office reads.  If you're a political junkie like me you probably already read a ton of news and think you know most issues backwards and forwards but this is not true!  I constantly find myself learning new things at my internship, which is actually quite refreshing.  So even if you read a lot already, don't be afraid to switch it up and start reading what the pros read

2. Know your Congresspeople: This is something I realized quickly that I was surprisingly bad at, I don't know very many Members of Congress.  When you get to D.C. suddenly people other than those who make the nightly news (Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell) start to matter.  For example, if you'd have asked me before I came here who Rodney Frelinghuysen was I would not have been able to tell you, but it turns out he is one of the most important members of Congress when it comes to issues that concern my internship.  He is the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, so before you come here and think you know all of the important players stop and take a second to get yourself acquainted with some more Members of Congress.  You'll be thankful when you're in a meeting and know what's going on, also you may recognize them on the street and be able to say hello instead "oh shoot that's a Member, but I don't know who!"

3. Watch committee hearings when you have the chance: I find myself turning on CSPAN while working on things at work all the time, hearing what's going on while I get things done. Oftentimes I am even assigned to report back to the government affairs team on what happened at the hearing, so if you work in a position where Congressional hearings matter to your office, take the time to check them out when you can!  It's another great way to know what's going on and will often help you impress your supervisors.

Pictured is me during WSWA's Legislative Fly-In, an event where wholesale company executives came to D.C. to meet with over 200 Members of Congress and discuss important issues related to the wine and spirits wholesale industry 

So in summary, be open to learning new things and changing how you consume news while in D.C. It's a city where the important news of the world happens right outside your door, so jump in and embrace it wholeheartedly.

- Luke Graeter
  WAIP Summer '17

Getting Lost Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

In my short time living in DC I have gotten to experience several great activities that I will never soon forget. From jazz in the park on a hot and humid Friday, to exploring the depths of the national gallery of art there are so many fun things available to do 24/7. This is great for me because I always like to stay busy, but this high-passed, planned out lifestyle can get overbearing sometimes. That is why when I come to a new city I always try to get myself lost purposely to experience the little things and find the gems that get lost in the rush. When I traveled through Europe my senior year of high school this mentality helped me find the best escargot in Paris and found me the best vantage point to view the city of Florence chowing down on gelato I got out of the back of someone’s car. But here in DC, you don’t have to deal with the language barrier, so asking anyone on the street what's their favorite thing to do will prompt them to respond with the craziest thing they can remember. These crazy stories can help inspire you to find out what the real city is like, but you must follow through and live the stories for the connections to stick. This method of adventuring requires you to be willing to make some compromises to your daily lifestyle. First you need to be willing to trust and make your way down the back alleys because you never know who or what you will find. This may come off as scary, but most of the time if you are safe about how you behave in these places the situations will turn out great. Second you need to remove the mentality of, happiness comes from sitting in my comfort zone where everything is safe and warm. Our life in this city is short and if we don’t say yes to everything and get out there and wander the streets we will be wasting our precious time. The other small things will always be there, but we will never get another shot to go out and enjoy ourselves at this moment again. And the last thing that makes my city exploring method odd is the usual stress that comes about from the feeling of being lost. This feeling runs through everyone and leads to a sense of concern. You need to be able to suspend this feeling in order to fully immerse yourself. But make sure to keep yourself grounded, the key to having fun in this manner is to always be safe and enjoy the people you are with.    

The Bipartisan Bromance

The political atmosphere has never been more divisive. I must admit that I am at fault for the political and social divide that separates Democrats and Republicans. My friends from back home and I are all from the same party, and while we have lively debates, we often agree on 99% of the issues. Coming into WAIP into this diverse political atmosphere, I had no clue what to expect, but I knew that political debates were bound to happen.

Our set up in the basement of 229, is that I live in the basement with Sharon, Cassidy, and Christine. We then share a living space with Morgan, Ella, Athena, and Elizabeth. Our shared living space has become the place for lively, informed, diverse, and bipartisan debate. I never thought that I would become best friends with someone across the aisle, especially after the most recent election. However, WAIP has truly allowed me to open my network and create valuable relationships with people with all backgrounds and beliefs.

Despite our differences, we all have in common that we love Ohio State and want to make a positive change in the world. That connection is strong enough to overcome our disagreements. I have met some truly amazing people here. The fact that my roommates and I can have friendly disagreements, is truly a sign that our friendship is strong. There is no doubt in my mind that by the end of WAIP, I will be grateful that I experienced many different views and have grown from these debates.

Katie

The 9-to-5 Survival Guide

My name is Eleni Packis, and I'm a rising senior studying Public Policy Analysis and Economics. This summer, I'm interning on the Health Care Team at the Government Accountability Office! 

When I came to D.C., I knew there would be things that would challenge me: dealing with the swamp-like summer temperatures, living in a house with many other people, finding a way to achieve the perfect work-life balance… and dealing with a very, very full work day.

I’ve found myself surprised by how difficult it can be to just sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. And after being here for five weeks, I’ve noticed that the days I consider myself the least productive are the ones where I don’t try to move around at least a bit. So here’s my short list of tips for how to spruce up the daily 9-to-5, and to take advantage of as many cool D.C. things as possible in the process!

1. Go to all the special events. As an intern at the Government Accountability Office, I’ve been invited to many cool opportunities already, including things like listening to other teams present their analyses, networking mixers, events at the Bipartisan Policy Center, and even an event put on by Politico coming up in a couple weeks. You can learn so many new things and meet great people by going to these. 
2. Set up coffees and lunches with your coworkers. Not only is this a great way to help you get through your day (good conversation will help you be more productive later on!), but it also helps you to form valuable connections with the people around you. You never know when you’ll need a favor from your fellow intern or supervisor, and actually getting to know them beforehand is a great way to strengthen these bonds.
3. Go for walks on your lunch break—explore the area where you work! The GAO is right outside of the Chinatown area, and I have loved going on solo walks around the area. Also, the National Portrait Gallery is just around the corner, and their atrium is a beautiful hidden gem of a lunch spot. Getting out of the office really makes the day go by quicker!
4. Listen to music while you work. I’ve noticed that I’m immensely more productive when I’ve got some nice background music playing in my ears. It really just helps me to focus better and to be less distracted by the sounds of the office.
5. Keep healthy snacks by your desk. A quick banana in the middle of the day is a great pick-me-up! I highly recommend keeping a small stash of goodies in your desk drawer (especially because they’re always handy on the days where you’re too rushed to pack a lunch).
6. Leave a sweater or blazer at work. For me, the quickest way to have an unproductive day is to feel like a human ice cube. Take charge of your body temperature, and always come prepared! 

And now, here’s a few photos of me taking advantage of D.C. life outside of work—pictured at the waterfront area in Georgetown with some other WAIPers, and enjoying Jazz in the Sculpture Garden.

Are You Swinging or Standing?

Ever since I played baseball from the age of 3, it was instilled in me that it's better to go down swinging on strike 3. Never let an opportunity pass you by without giving it a swing, even if it is a curve ball. Maybe you are unsure if it is a strike or not, but no matter the circumstance, don't strikeout without swinging!

         Many of the lessons we learn from a young age can instill a value in us for the rest of our lives. For me, that lesson came from the sport of baseball. For others, it may have been playwriting or music or other various art forms. Ultimately, there is a value that can be drawn from the simplest things in life.

         Networking is much like a batter at the plate. The batter stands in the box with great potential in the form of a bat that rests upon the batters shoulders. All the batter must do is swing at the opportunity that is provided by the pitcher. If the batter strikes out swinging, the batter can say that was his/her best and there’s always next time. If the batter gets called out and doesn’t swing, well then, we will never know the true potential of the batter in that given circumstance.

         Baseball is the picture that comes to mind when I think of networking. Batters are considered highly successful for putting the ball in play 30% of the time. If you network and don’t make a lasting connection, you swung and there will be other opportunities. If you never swing, then I guess you never realized your full potential.

         Sometimes the worst batter on the team gets a hit. Everyone has potential, you must wait for the right moment. There’s always a time for capitalization for everyone. Some more than others, but there’s something about everyone that attracts someone.

         Ultimately, I can lay down a personal story. But who cares, go be a go-getter and network and swing at everything you can. The worst someone can say is ‘no’, and they still walk away respecting you for asking. Put your feelings aside, and put your career and future in the batter’s box. For your sake, swing the bat!

Pictured is myself and the most proud Buckeye that I know. Bill Houston bleeds scarlet everyday with his outfits. I could not be more honored to work with a character such as himself. I am interning at Alion Science & Technology in Foreign Military Sales, and he has given me great advice and mentorship along the way. I cannot enforce the power of networking enough. Swing away!

Best wishes,

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

On the day we moved in, I felt like a freshman again. I had the ~unavoidably~ awkward introduction to my new roommate when we met in the airport, met all the students and their families as we lugged all of our belongings into the house, and had to say goodbye to my family who acted as if I’d never return home again. And turns out, maybe I won’t.

            Of course, I’ll make an effort to visit my family to see them for major life events and holidays, but after spending some time in DC, I am more determined than ever to officially move out after graduation. To me, being thrown into WAIP with 31 strangers sounds intimidating. I honestly had no idea what to expect moving into a house with SIXTEEN girls, and sharing the common room between eight of us!!

Turns out, my roommate Sharon is awesome and super easy to get along with, along with the rest of the girls. Most of the WAIPers didn’t know each other going into this, so it helped that everyone made an effort to get to know each other right off the bat. Being a month in, we have already organized so many group outings and have really gotten to know everyone in this short amount of time. Although I consider myself rather outgoing, WAIP has presented the opportunity to distance myself from the friend group I’m attached to at school and meet an entirely new group of people. Despite not knowing what I was getting into, I’ve made a whole new group of friends I would otherwise never have met!

Pictured: lots of the WAIPers on a self-organized outing to Arlington Cemetery!

Cassidy