<p>My DS is has applied for a Congressional Internship for the summer. He has a very good shot at getting it. Has anyone's darling children done one of these? He is appling for the one in DC for the summer. Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks</p>
<p>One of D’s classmates did this her entire junior year. She loved it. Don’t have any details, though. Sorry!</p>
<p>Is there a specific question or concern you had?</p>
<p>My friend’s son did this one summer, and got a reference letter from the Congressman. Came in handy when applying to law school. He had active social life, thus very enjoyable summer. No $$$$, thogh.</p>
<p>Was the expeirence worthwhile? It seems like it would be an amazing opportunity, however, quite pricey; given no $$, housing, and other expenses and opportunity cost.(job making $). Any good suggestions on housing? Should he take his car if he lives close to Hill ( my personal choice, no car, close to hill)? DS will be attending law school after his senior year, currently a junior. His career goal includes JAG program and eventual Prosecuter. ( as of today). In posting these questions, it seems like a no brainer, if he is blessed enough to recieve oppurtunity. Thanks to all who give input.</p>
<p>DC resident and government worker speaking here (I don’t work on the Hill though, but I know these internships well): He shouldn’t bring his car unless he plans to live in the suburbs. In DC there is no need with buses and metro. For housing, one suggestion is to rent a GWU dorm room for the summer. It’s not that expensive, it’s not that nice either but it’s only for one summer. Also they’re usually close to the GWU metro, which is a short ride from Capitol South (metro stop if he’s working for the House) and a short $1.00 bus ride to Union Station (if he’s on the Senate side). Other suggestion would be just craigslist where there are usually plenty of summer sublet advertisements or see if his college has a college club in DC that he could reach out to and see if any alums will house interns. There’s also WISH, Washington Intern Student Housing, but I think they’re very overpriced and kind of a gimmick to reel in out of towners willing to pay exorbitant prices just to get the housing search over with. Frankly, you can do a lot better for a lot less. </p>
<p>If he’s going to law school he’ll find this a good resume builder and a good way to get recommendations and build relationships, which will be really important if he wants to work on the Hill or in DC generally after he graduates. He may not however find the work all that interesting unless he is interning for a committee, rather than an individual representative. Congressional interns do a LOT of busy work or grunt work office tasks, a lot of giving tours of the capitol to visiting constituents, chasing around after members, errand running, probably writing, folding, and sending correspondence etc. Of course, this can vary depending on who he works for and what the staff is like, but for the most part interning for an individual member involves little involvement in policy work. You get more of that if you intern for a whole committee. </p>
<p>The best way to think about it is that these internships are about building connections and contacts on the Hill. Also about having fun with the legion of other Hill interns (and there will be a legion), going to Happy Hours, enjoying all of the really great cultural opportunities of DC and all of the amazing things to do here in the summer (free movies every Monday night on the Mall right in front of the Capitol building). If he’s pretty social and likes to work hard and play hard he will have a really fun summer.</p>