Wrapping Up your Congressional Internship
Get the most out of your last days
As many summer internships enter their final weeks, now is a good time to start preparing for the transition, and to get the most out of your experience!
Save your work: Now is a good time to take stock and save the work you did during your internship. Look back over your calendar and make a list of the highlights. Save a few representative samples of your written work — such as constituent letters, hearing notes, or issue memos. Is there something you didn’t get a chance to try? Now is a great time to ask your supervisor if you can give it a go!
Touch base with coworkers: It can be difficult in normal times to connect before an internship wraps, and that’s especially true for those who worked remotely. Now is a great time to request a short video call to connect with colleagues — even those you might not have worked with closely — for an opportunity to establish or deepen a connection before the internship ends. It doesn’t have to be a long or formal conversation — ask for their advice, learn what brought them to the Hill, and give them a reason to remember you.
Get those connections on the record: Your internship brought you into contact with interesting people from a range of backgrounds, and you should preserve those connections! If you have not yet set up your LinkedIn account or professional accounts on Twitter or Instagram, you still have time. Set up your accounts and connect with people you interacted with during your internship — colleagues, advocates, and fellow interns.
Write about your experience: First person takes on Capitol Hill life are always interesting — but this year has been EXTRA intriguing. You have an inside view on a very unique time in Congress. Consider sharing the story of your internship with your school media, local newspaper, or even just writing a post on Medium or LinkedIn. And when you do, share it with us!
Looking for a job?
A Congressional internship is often the entry point for a job on Capitol Hill or elsewhere in the government and there is no better time to be in the market than an election year. Hill staff are taking off to work for campaigns. In a few months, newly elected members will be hiring. If you are entering the job market this year (or next year), here are some resources:
House Vacancy Announcement and Placement Service (“HVAPS”)
House Democrats Resume Bank
House Republicans Resume Bank
Subscribe to the weekly House Employment Bulletin
Hill jobs lists: Tom Mantos, Brad Traverse, and Time on the Hil
Tips from the experts:
“How to Land a Job on Capitol Hill” from Congressional Management Foundation
Q&A with Brent Sullivan (founder of Time on the Hill)
How to Get a Job on Capitol Hill by Terry Carmack
Top 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol Hill by Michael Roberts
**Now is the time to schedule those informational interviews**
NOTE: the old rule about sending handwritten thank you notes no longer applies. Physical mail is delayed for scanning and staffers are working remotely. SO, it’s much more important to send a prompt, brief, personalized email as followup!
