HOW TO: INTERN IN D.C. THE RIGHT WAY!
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GABRIELLE CABANES
For a lot of students going into careers like journalism, law, or politics, the summer internship in Washington, D.C. pipeline is pretty much inevitable. Whether you’re working on Capitol Hill as a “hilltern” or learning the ins and outs of happy hour and coffee chats at your corporate internship, take it from someone who’s done this twice, there’s plenty to know. Here are best tips on how to make the most of it and also a few recommendations of places to go.
Tips and Advice
First things first, network your butt off. It often comes with the territory that the work you’ll be doing as an intern isn’t always the most glorified or important, but what you can always take away from an internship is the people. Even if it’s just a few contacts, having a good relationship with actual professionals is incredibly important. You can always ask them for a letter of recommendation and who knows, maybe one day, they’ll even help you get a job.
Go out and do things after work. Listen, I get it. Going to work the entire day is hard, especially if it’s super hot outside and the commute is long. This may very well be your first summer without that job at your hometown ice cream shop, and although that can be tiring, this is going to wear you out in a whole new way. Often, all you want to do after work is lie in your bed and enjoy the air conditioning. The reality is, you’re only here for three months, so make the most of it. Make friends with the other interns at the company and ask them to go to happy hour!
Work hard and be enthusiastic. Like I said before, being an intern doesn’t always mean doing the most rewarding work, but don’t be afraid to ask for more work and pitch ideas to your manager about what you could work on. This won’t always work, and sometimes things may get a little boring, but your excitement and enthusiasm to do more work will not go unnoticed.
Fun Places to Go
After the serious stuff, here are just a few suggestions for when it comes to my favorite places in D.C. There is so much to do in this city, and I couldn’t possibly name them all, but here are my top three things to do while you’re in town.
LE DIPLOMATE: My absolute favorite restaurant in the city is “Le Diplomate.” Located near Logan Circle, this French restaurant is the perfect place to go with your parents when they come to drop you off or pick you up. If you go with your friends, it's definitely on the fancier side, but I promise you that the Washington, D.C. minimum wage will be worth spending at this delicious establishment.
SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS: Rare are the cities with this many free museums, so take this opportunity to visit as many as you can. Washington, D.C. offers 17 fantastic free Smithsonian Museums for you to visit. From the National Museum of Natural History to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, these museums are a great way to fill the time and learn more about our nation's history through different topics.
CAPITOL HILL: The most beautiful building in the city, in my opinion, is the United States Capitol. Whether you’re taking a walk and just looking at it from the outside or you schedule a visit with your senator, this building is absolutely incredible and has such a rich history. While you’re there, make sure you walk by the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress because those are beautiful, too.
