5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Interning In D.C.
Before I came to D.C., I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, but this city has a way of surprising you. Here are 5 things TFAS staff wish they knew before coming to D.C. for the first time.
1. The City is Smaller than You Think
D.C. feels big until you run into the same person three times in one week. With that in mind, make sure you are always respectful, professional and kind – you never know who you will see again!
One major upside I’ve found to this small-town dynamic is that it’s easier to find your people compared to most cities! People connect over a wide range of interests: politics, sports, alma mater, etc.
2. Don’t Forget to be a Tourist
Trust me, this summer will get busy, really busy. You’ll be meeting new people, starting a new internship, taking new classes, and it can seem overwhelming at first. The eight weeks will go faster than you think, so don’t forget to take a step back and enjoy just being in America’s capital city. Walk the mall whenever you can, go to as many museums as possible, catch a D.C. sports game, go to the networking events, do all the things. Some of your best memories might not come from your internship; they’ll come from a late-night walk past the Lincoln Memorial or a spontaneous museum visit with friends.
- TFAS will help you check some of these off your bucket list! Stay tuned for registration for a guided monuments tour and a Nationals baseball game!
- Bonus if you have time to make it to another city! The Big Apple and Baltimore are a short train ride away!
3. Always be Prepared
You ever heard to always dress like you’re going to run into your ex? In D.C., it’s more like always dress like you’re going to see your congressman! Be sure to look professional when you are attending social/networking events. If your office allows leave a blazer at your desk, you never know when you might need it!
- Bonus insight: D.C. leans more traditional than you might expect, especially in professional settings. At the end of your internship or after a job interview, write the supervisor a handwritten thank-you note!
4. Leave your Car Behind
I know it sounds scary, especially if you currently use your car every day, as I did before D.C. Having a car in D.C. will be more of a burden than a help. Parking is extremely limited at George Washington University and throughout the city, not to mention expen$ive. The D.C. Metro (railway and bus) system is very comprehensive and user-friendly. Check out the last #TFASBlog post for more information on “How to Metro.”
5. TFAS Connections Run DEEP in D.C.
As a two-time TFAS alumna and now TFAS staff member, I know how many people credit TFAS with their professional success. Almost every major and minor D.C. institution has a connection to TFAS. You’ll find TFAS alumni everywhere from the White House to The Hill, from TV news to small newspapers, big lobbying firms to boutique nonprofits. It’s not uncommon to meet someone at an event and realize they’re also a TFAS alum, and suddenly the conversation opens up. TFAS will not only open doors in D.C. but also give you substantive experiences to draw from later on in your career!