It’s that time of year again, and thousands of fresh-faced interns with yellow badges have arrived on Capitol Hill to kick off the annual summer internship ritual. Hailing from all over the country, they’ve come to Washington to prepare for their own future while they build America’s political future as well.
Yet unfortunately, not everyone is so enthusiastic about interning on the Hill. In my work with prospective interns, here are some of the misconceptions I frequently hear about what they can expect from a summer working in a congressional office.
You’re just going to answer the phone
It is true that most congressional internships involve constituent services and discussing their policy concerns, both on the phone and through mail. However, it’s unlikely that this will occupy an intern’s entire day. Ambitious interns should aim to complete their responsibilities in a timely manner and then proactively volunteer for more substantive projects, which harried legislative staffers are often more than happy to provide.
For example, congressional hearings are one of the most underappreciated elements of the Capitol Hill experience. Pick an interesting committee and you can go hear some of the smartest experts in the field discuss important policy topics of the day.
Tours are another often-overlooked perk of a congressional internship. Armed with an access badge, you’re free to roam the halls and tunnels of Congress while talking about American history and improving your public speaking skills. Tours are also a great way to get noticed by the full-time staff.
Offices don’t care about their interns
Contrary to popular belief, most offices respect and appreciate their interns’ contributions. Interns are often the first point of contact when constituents reach out to the office, either via phone or email, and therefore are essential in keeping things on track.
Many congressional staffers are willing to provide mentorship, because they themselves first came to the Hill as interns. District work days (when representatives are back in their home districts) are an especially good time to ask staffers for coffee meetings or career advice, as the pace of work in the Capitol slows down dramatically.
They are only for rich kids
It’s true that congressional internships are something of a rite of passage at expensive Washington universities. However, you don’t have to come from money to make the finances work. Starting this year, each Hill office has been allocated an additional $20,000 per year to pay their D.C.-based interns.
Plus, there are numerous options available through universities, educational organizations, and other groups that provide scholarships and other cost-effective solutions. Plenty of colleges also have existing support programs in the city that can help with housing, networking, and socializing.
Job offers are difficult to land unless you know someone
Many interns arrive at the Capitol seeking to eventually find paid, full-time employment in government. This can be tough: Entry-level positions for staff assistants or legislative correspondents are ruthlessly competitive, with offices regularly receiving hundreds of applications for a single opening.
Luckily, jobs in Congress are less dependent on nepotism than you’d think. With so many qualified candidates applying for positions, the successful candidate often stands out on simple factors such as whether they have familiarity with the issues facing an office’s constituents. Hailing from the home district or attending school in an adjacent area is often more important than who you’re connected with on LinkedIn.
Above all, remember: An internship on Capitol Hill often serves as a bridge to the working world of Washington and beyond. The stamp of approval that is conferred by working in a congressional office will give you the leg up professionally for years down the road. Take full advantage of the time you’re here in Washington, regardless of any negative rumors or chatter you may have heard about the experience, and you’ll never regret it.
Joe Starrs is a director at The Fund for American Studies, a non-profit, non-partisan educational program that brings college students from all 50 states and around the world to intern in D.C. While leading TFAS’ internship program for the past 11 years, he has worked with more than 3,500 interns.
