What I Wish I Would Have Known When I was an Intern

What Do I Wear?

Your appearance in DC is very important. Your look not only reflects upon your school, but also on your state and most importantly, your senator, representative or organization. Various offices have different expectations of how their interns should dress. Attire on Capitol Hill also varies depending on whether or not Congress is in session. Here are a few general guidelines:

- Bring nice, professional looking attire. This includes a tie, jacket and slacks for men and nice slacks, skirts and blouses for women.

- When Congress is in session, most offices require a jacket for both men and women at all times.

- When Congress is not in session, many offices allow their staff to wear jeans as long as they do not look sloppy.

- Most companies/organizations have Casual Fridays which allow for more relaxed attire. This may or may not include jeans depending on the company.

- It would be advantageous to call your individual office and inquire regarding proper dress; this way you will not pack things that you don=t need.

What Will I Do As An Intern?

Intern duties vary from office to office. Intern duties are also assigned differently in each office. Some offices may assign each intern to a staff member who will train you on your specific duties. Other offices may give all the interns daily tasks. Some general duties you will do as an intern include:

- General office work, faxing, copying, answering phones (some offices), running errands, etc.

- Focused research is another aspect of intern duties. Many staffers are busy and will ask you to research different topics for them. This may be for their knowledge and preparation of specific legislation. Some will have you write issue briefs on the topics assigned.

- General projects may also be assigned to an intern.

- On the Hill, most interns are given the opportunity to give Capitol tours to constituents.

- Press Intern: Each office has a press intern who is in charge of daily news clips. It is the duty of this intern to put together a packet of the news clips of the day that are applicable to or mention the senator, representative or the state they represent.

- Many interns are involved in responding to constituent letters. This includes a great deal of research and writing about various topics. Legislative Consultants (LCs) are often the staff members who aid in this process.

What Experiences Are Available To Me As An Intern?

There are many opportunities available to you while working in DC. You may have the opportunity to see and meet politicians, network with professionals in your intended field and experience the rich political culture of DC.

When you have an opportunity, it is wise to sit down with your supervisor and explain the things that you would like to experience while in DC. Many offices are willing and desire for their interns to get as much out of the experience as possible. Remember that you are there to learn how the political process works; don=t miss out on an opportunity to accomplish this goal.

As most interns are required to write a paper to complete their internship, it is recommended that you decide on a paper topic early on. The resources available only to interns exceed many of the research resources you have used in the past. Depending on the nature of your office, you may be allowed access to many websites (CRS) that are not open to the public, which may prove valuable for your research.

What Is There To Do In DC?

There is a great deal to do in and around Washington, DC. It is wise to get on the Internet and look up websites on shopping, restaurants, and entertainment in the area. The Weekend section of the Washington Post (Fridays) lists events happening in and around DC during the week. There are also many things to do that are not very far from the DC area. Here are some suggestions:

- Smithsonian Museums: A MUST while you are in DC. The great thing about most of the Smithsonian Museums is that they are free. The Smithsonian Museums include: the Museum of Air and Space, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History, the National Gallery of Art (classic and modern), the National Zoo, as well as many others. It is important to note that most, if not all, of the museums close at 5:00 p.m. everyday. This will not allow you to see the museums on a normal weekday, but there should be plenty of time on the weekends to see them. Just remember that time flies!

- Holocaust Museum: This is an experience that should not be passed up. This museum takes about three hours to get all the way through. It is important that you plan enough time to see everything. A ticket is required to visit the Holocaust Museum. During the weekends this exhibit can be quite crowded. It is recommended that you call ahead and reserve your ticket.

-Botanical Gardens: These are beautiful gardens that have flowers from countries from around the world. It is within a walking distance from Capitol Hill and can be done in a short time.

- Monuments/Memorials: Constituent Gardens, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial, Teddy Roosevelt Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, Korean War Memorial, Navy Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and the Washington Monument. It is important to note that tickets are required to visit the Washington Monument. Free tickets can be picked up the day of.

- Kennedy Center: Many free concerts, plays and lectures are offered here. It is a good idea to get on their website and see what is going on.

- MCI Center: Whether it is a Georgetown basketball game, a Wizards game or a circus, there is always something fun going on at the MCI Center. Check out their website to find dates and times of different events.

- Restaurants: The DC cuisine is comparable to that of New York City. You can find almost any kind of food you want to eat. This is a fun part of the culture that should be experienced. Some suggestions include: California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle, Cheesecake Factory, Legal Sea Food, Five Guys Restaurant and Hard Times Café. There are also many more specific DC restaurant websites.

- Running and Biking: The Mount Vernon trail runs along the Potomac River and is great for running, biking and roller-blading. The trail is paved and close to the apartments, a definite must!

- Mount Vernon: Home of George Washington.

- Other Interesting Sites Include: the National Cathedral (where many politicians and dignitaries attend church), Chinatown, Old Town Alexandria (fun for restaurants and shopping), and Georgetown (very fun college atmosphere, good shopping and restaurants).

What Do I Need To Bring?

The apartments at Crystal Plaza are completely furnished. Each apartment is furnished with vacuums, dishes, microwaves, irons, ironing boards and may have televisions and VCRs. It is necessary to bring twin size sheets and bedding such as pillows and blankets. If you don't have room in your suitcase, you can buy these items at Target, which is located down the street (a bus ride away) from Crystal Plaza apartments.

As an intern, you will do a great deal of walking. Make sure that you have good, comfortable, professional-looking shoes. Also, be aware that you will need to dress for the weather. As a result of the humidity, DC experiences the extremes of both hot and cold. It is smart to plan for this and dress accordingly. In addition, you may wan to pack an umbrella, a little device that we sometimes forget.

How Do I Get Around Without A Car?

The Metro is definitely a part of the DC culture. It seems a little overwhelming at first, but you will quickly become a pro. The metro is located in the underground mall beneath Crystal Plaza apartments. There will be signs to guide you down to the metro. The different metro cars are named for the very last stop on their route. Refer to the metro map included in this packet. Crystal Plaza apartments are located on both the yellow and blue lines at the Crystal City stop.

Metro fare cards can be purchased at the vending machines in the metro stations or online. Before buying a full month pass (if you ever choose to do that), try the metro out for awhile. Find out how often you ride the metro and purchase your passes accordingly. You may find that it will be beneficial to buy a $20 fare card and use it until it is gone. Daily ($5) and weekly ($22) passes are also available. This is something you will just have to experiment with and find what fits your lifestyle best.

You can get colored maps from the metro offices or possibly from your office. The maps are also online at http://www.metroopensdoors.com/. It is a good idea to call your office in advance and find out just how to get there, what metro line to take and how to get to your office after arriving at your stop. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time when you experience the metro for the first time.