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Archives for November 2022

6 Tips for Adjusting to Life in D.C. From One Previously Anxious Intern!

10Nov

If you’re anything like me, moving across the country to a place you’ve visited once briefly can be overwhelming. And while I didn’t grow up in the smallest town, Waco, TX, has nothing on Washington, D.C. I planned and packed meticulously so I could be ready for anything D.C. could’ve thrown at me. Still, one thing I didn’t expect or plan for was to fall in love with this city the second I landed. Now that I’ve gotten into my new groove of life in D.C. I’m sharing some of the expected and unexpected lessons I’ve learned!

1. Public Transportation, aka the Metro

If you’re anything like me, the thought of navigating the metro was a daunting but necessary task. I’m here to tell you the metro is actually very simple and easy to navigate! After you ride it twice, you’ll be good to go where you please on it. The metro has several online apps and interactive maps that show you where the trains are and give estimated arrival times so you can plan ahead and not sit in the station for 15+ minutes. As silly as it might sound, nothing makes you feel more like a local than being able to ride the metro!

2. Your roommates will be your lifeline. 

One thing that appealed to me about TAMU was that I didn’t have to stay in a dorm room my first year. So, living with 6 other girls in one apartment was something I wasn’t sure I’d like, but my roommates became my best friends and lifeline very quickly. Not only are they going through the same adjustment as you, but they are also there for the same reasons as you, so it brings a level of comfort and home I didn’t expect. We go on new adventures, try new things, and grow and learn from each other in a way that you can only get through a program like this. 

3. You’re going to make mistakes; EMBRACE THEM!

I’m a perfectionist at heart; it, in my opinion, can be a fatal flaw. The truth is you will make more mistakes than you’ll like to admit, but not every mistake will feel like a mistake. My best advice is to use your mistakes as learning opportunities! So, don’t beat yourself up over making mistakes but embrace the lessons that come from them. One of the biggest aspects of this internship that I didn’t expect was just how much I would grow personally, and making mistakes is one of the best ways to grow and get better! 

 4. Southern Hospitality in D.C.??

Undoubtedly, the biggest shock moving up here for me was the cultural shock. There is no denying D.C. is nothing like College Station, TX. Anytime I told someone about moving up here, I got the same advice, “watch out for people; you better have tough skin; people aren’t nice up there like they are here.” However, I’m happy to report that most people here are so nice and genuinely want to help you. While there are the occasional rude people you will encounter, the good interactions far outweigh the bad ones. 

5. Expect the unexpected 

This town is full of surprises, some good and some less good. From being stranded in the middle of D.C. because the metro unexpectedly had to shut down to randomly seeing your mom’s childhood best friend walking down the street (I mean, what are the chances?!), you never know what will happen on any given day. So the best advice I can give is to start each day with an open mind and embrace whatever the day throws at you! 

 (One thing I expected but wasn’t prepared for was the amount and the severity of the blisters you will inevitably get. So bring TONS of Band-Aids and comfy shoes to wear on the way to work!)

 6. This is your chance to be whoever you want!

One of my favorite aspects of living in a new city where you, quite frankly, don’t know a soul is that you can be whoever you want! There is a sense of freedom and endless possibility that comes with living somewhere like D.C. that I’ve fallen in love with. This is an opportunity to try new things and explore a new city, new interests, and grow as a person! 

Madalyn Willis
Office of Congressman Michael Cloud
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

Small Town Girl, Big City Living

10Nov

In the summer of 2016, this 15-year-old farm girl stepped foot in our nation’s capital for the first time. In town for a leadership conference, I anxiously waited for the opportunity to see the sights, meet with legislators, and learn more about our country’s history. What began as a week-long visit turned into a desire to return again one day. Five years later, I am back and truly cannot believe I am living and working in Washington, D.C. In the short time I have lived here, I have continued to fall in love with this city. Not only do I love the fast-paced city life, but I love the work I’m doing within it and the people I get to do the work alongside. All that said, the big city life can be a bit intimidating for a girl coming from a town that boasts about 300 people. I thought I could provide some “advice” for all my small-town farm kids who find themselves in the same boots as me.

Commuter shoes are NO JOKE!

I learned this the hard way. Tennis shoes, Hey Dudes, Crocs… Whatever you prefer, make sure they are comfortable and fit well. You will do so much more walking than you think. I probably walk at least three to five miles a day and sometimes, more. A comfortable pair of shoes when traveling to and from work are a must! And while you’re at it, invest in some comfortable work shoes. You can always throw on heels for a meeting or event, but stylish loafers or flats are the best way to go for everyday roaming around the office. You will thank yourself when you’re not putting a whole box of Band-Aids on your feet (speaking from experience)!

Public transportation is an experience in itself.

Ubers are expensive, the metro is anything but glamorous, sometimes it’s too far to walk, and if you’re bringing your car… good luck with that D.C. traffic! I’d be lying if I said public transportation hasn’t been a bit of a culture shock. On the bright side, you have the rest of the interns to figure it out alongside. The metro is definitely the cheapest and probably the easiest way to get around D.C. That being said, I encourage you to explore other options as well! For example, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has been free for the month of September due to the yellow metro line being shut down. The VRE is usually less crowded, cleaner, and has been much faster for myself because of the location I travel to for work. If all else fails, splitting an Uber with a few other interns isn’t a bad idea from time to time. 

Don’t let the word “no” be in your D.C. vocabulary! 

They say there really is no place like Washington, D.C., and if you want to make a change, this is the place to be. And they’re not wrong. D.C. is FULL of so many different opportunities. Whether it be networking at a reception or event, attending happy hour with some coworkers, sitting in on a meeting or Zoom call, or seeing the sites on the weekend with other interns, don’t catch yourself saying “no” to anything. You never know who you might meet or have the opportunity to connect with. Or you may find an interest or passion in a policy area or a career you didn’t know much about. 

It’s different… And that’s OK!

I’ve been asked why in the world I would want to live and work in Washington, D.C.? It’s a valid question and honestly, there are times I miss the comfort and quiet of my small town. And you don’t have to love it! You may get here and realize this isn’t the place for you, and that is OK! At the end of the day, your experience is what you make of it. So make the most of it, as you may never get this chance again. As for me, I cannot wait to find my way back here once again (hopefully more permanently)! I’ve never had more excitement and passion for what I’m doing than I do here in D.C. And I like to think that 15-year-old farm girl would be pretty proud of how far she’s come. 

Morgan Orem
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

 

 

The Secrets of Networking

10Nov

The first thing you have to know about networking is that the folks around you really do want to help you. The vast majority of your colleagues were once in your shoes, and somebody helped them achieve their dreams. Also, never be intimidated by titles. They used to be in the exact same place as you. The folks I met at my internship have been the most helpful people in all of my career advancement. In fact, here’s a picture of me with one of the people I most respect, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Glenn Thompson.

Good luck!

Dawson Raub
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association / Public Lands Council
Fall 2022 | Washington, D.C

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