While spring is in the air and the weather has turned a lot warmer I cannot help but feel pretty bummed. This is the last month of my internship at the Congressional Office I have interned at in Washington, D.C.. I have learned so much and really learned a ton about how the government works from the inside. No matter how much I read and prepared nothing could have really prepared me for everything that has gone on this year.
Even for longtime Hill employees, this has been a year of first so it was pretty cool to navigate this alongside some veterans of Capitol Hill. That being said I will greatly miss the office and the office banter. The people in this office are beyond kind and compassionate from the Congressman and his Chief of Staff down to the other intern. I have been able to forge some really nice friendships I hope to be able to hold onto once I have to leave. I have previously joked with the Legislative staff that I will be their intern for life and just never leave however sadly the Federal Government has some stupid laws against that.
Interestingly enough the job market on The Hill is rather unique and you really have to know people to find a job here. Not many offices are hiring and from what I have learned they tend to hire mostly at the end of the summer and the beginning of the year so I am in the middle of a lull or dead zone where finding a permanent position is harder than it normally would be. There have been a few different jobs I have applied for but so far I have not gotten an interview yet. While I don't want to work off Hill it is rapidly becoming a bigger possibility. It is a little disappointing and if I really wanted to stay on Capitol Hill I could apply for another internship at another office but I do not know if I want to deal with the small stipend that they give you. It does not even cover rent so it would be a tough pill to swallow.
Every day I go through the different job posting in the Senate and Linkedin postings. The House only does a once-a-week bulletin so I do keep an eye out for any rumors of someone hiring. I will need to talk to the Congressman's Chief of Staff again and see what off Hill places he would recommend. I am happy though that at least hiring is taking place and the job market is improving here in DC. They are finally starting to open up more and more which is really good to see. Honestly, I just do not want to leave this office and it makes me sad that I will have to do so in the coming weeks. Hopefully soon I will have something locked down the job market has a quick turn around up here so a bunch of jobs could easily open up and change my job hunting fortunes entirely!
