• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program
Internships Start Careers. Begin Yours Today.
  • Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Locations
      • Austin, Texas
      • Rome, Italy
      • Washington, D.C.
    • Program Benefits
    • Current Interns
      • Austin, Texas
      • International
      • Washington, D.C.
    • Intern Testimonials
  • Become an Intern
    • Eligibility
    • Logistics to Consider
    • Application Process
    • Apply Now
  • Blog
  • Hosting Offices
    • Site Supervisor Eligibility
    • Registering Your Office
  • Alumni
    • Update Contact Information
    • Alumni List
  • Donors & Supporters
    • How to Give
    • Supporter Impact
  • Contact
    • How to Find Us
    • Program Staff

Small Town Girl, Big City Living

November 10, 2022 by cprice920

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

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Posts

  • December 2022 (2)
  • November 2022 (3)
  • August 2022 (10)
  • June 2022 (4)
  • February 2022 (1)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (2)
  • September 2021 (2)
  • July 2021 (7)
  • June 2021 (1)
  • December 2020 (3)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • October 2020 (3)
  • July 2020 (3)
  • April 2020 (7)
  • March 2020 (5)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • November 2019 (5)
  • October 2019 (2)
  • March 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (2)
  • November 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (3)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (1)
  • November 2014 (1)
  • September 2014 (1)
  • August 2014 (1)
  • July 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (2)
  • June 2012 (1)

Tag Cloud

#Rome #RomeLife #European Aggies ANRP ANRP 25th Anniversary Capitol Hill career D.C. Day Off DC living Deadline Events Experience FAO future goals hilltern Hollywood intern Intern Life Interns internship Learning News Rome Thank You TX-34 Veteran's Day Washington
  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information
Texas A&M University System Member