Interning in Washington, D.C. (from a recent intern)

Picture this: you are a college freshman who is devastated over not receiving a summer position in an on-campus organization. A couple of months later, you decide to apply for a summer internship, not knowing what you are getting yourself into or that your life would be forevermore changed.

This is much my story- and I now have had the blessing of interning in DC the past two summers, where I have experienced some of the greatest moments of my life. Going into my first internship, I hardly had any professional experience other than involvement in a couple of organizations; I didn't have a "donor uncle;" and I had never spent a whole summer away from home.

And although I still don't have a donor uncle, I have picked up random bits of advice and have learned and grown through mistakes made along the way- and I thought I might share for anyone as they head into an internship in DC or on the Hill. I still have much left to experience (including graduation), but here are 10 things I think could be helpful for you during your internship:

1. Be humble and work your hardest- and do the little things well. It speaks volumes to people without you having to say a word.
2. If you are asked to do something- don't question it (RE: A Message to Garcia. The Senate office I interned in required us to read this, and it has stuck with me ever since. Although written in 1899, its message of completing the task you are given is still relevant today). If you approach your task with a positive attitude, whether it is menial and mundane, or if it is getting to escort a distinguished guest into the office, people will take notice and appreciate it.
3. Be grateful for the opportunity- and express gratitude where you can. There are many people who didn't get the same opportunity and would love to be where you are; with that opportunity, you are entrusted a certain responsibility to steward it well.
4. Know that you are important to the office- but remember, there will always be someone with a more important role in the room. I have learned that this is actually a positive thing, and there will always be places for growth and opportunities to learn something new.
5. Connect and get coffee with people- but not in the stereotypical way you might think of. People value genuine relationships and can often detect if you are real, or are using them to climb a rung. A few genuine connections are more likely to be more beneficial to you than 50 random connections ever could be. If there is a position available one day- someone who can vouch for you is much more likely to recommend you.
6. DC is small- and word travels fast. Also, be aware of your surroundings at work, but especially outside of work as well (RE: point four). Someone I know told me a horror story of two interns riding the metro home from work who bad-mouthed their boss, and their boss happened to be sitting right behind them.
7. Be adaptable- and make yourself available. Also, take into consideration things you may not think you're interested in. There are so many routes you can take to or on the Hill or in DC, and you never know what path a newfound interest might take you down. There are more jobs out there than solely "comms" or "leg"- so don't feel like you have to fit in a box and take one of those two paths.
8. Authenticity is key. Even if you feel like you don't belong and that DC is a world you are not accustomed to- nevertheless be proud of your roots and where you come from, as no one can take that away from you.
9. Be proactive in asking for ways to help out, and don't sit around and wait for things to fall in your lap. There will certainly be downtimes, especially in recess, but your internship will be much more rewarding if you make it what you want it to be. The pay is low, and you are essentially paying to be there- so think of it as an investment into your future.
10. Last but not least, enjoy every second- it goes by very quick. Immerse yourself into all the city has to offer- but remember- it is also a bubble, and life exists outside of it as well. It is important to have ways to decompress that don't involve politics.

Washington, D.C. is a great city, and making the most of your internship there can provide invaluable experience that will set you up for a future career if you allow it to. This is a blended list, consisting of bits of advice I've received, but also the things I have experienced and can vouch for myself as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions- and if I don't have the answer, I will try to connect you with someone who might.

See you next summer!

Noah