Archives for March 2023

Every morning, I wake up, pick out my favorite business professional outfit, and grab my trusty work bag, ready to head out and take on a day on Capitol Hill. Now you might be asking, “why is a bag an important part of your morning routine?” It is not the bag itself that is significant; it is the contents that tell a story and provide the functionality to navigate life in Washington, D.C.

1. Journal: I have enjoyed documenting my experiences throughout my internship by keeping a journal. Through keeping a journal, I have been able to document my growth as an intern and look back on the learning opportunities. I hope that this journal will assist me when adding to my resume and preparing for future job interviews. 
2. Badge: Your intern badge is a key that unlocks all of the great opportunities on Capitol Hill. It is also required to get through security and navigate through the Capitol! With your badge, you can explore areas of the Capitol that are not available for standard tours and attend hearings and briefings.
3. Umbrella: D.C. weather can be unpredictable, so it is important to bring along an umbrella to keep yourself (and your business professional clothes) dry!
4. Beauty Bag: It is always important to dress for success and “put your best foot forward.” Part of looking your best is feeling confident and put together. I like to keep hand sanitizer, bobby pins, hair elastics, a lint roller, and dental care items handy, so I can look and feel my best. 
5. Business Cards: Business cards are a gateway to networking in D.C. It is important to keep your ANRP Program-provided business cards with you at all times to exchange with all of the connections you will make during your time here!
6. Commuter shoes: You might be fretting about the morning commute in fear of the blisters that could occur from hiking to Capitol Hill in dress shoes. Never fear, the solution is simple: commuter shoes! These can be your trusty pair of tennis shoes, your fuzzy boots, or even flip-flops. Once you reach your destination, these shoes can be exchanged for your professional dress shoes. Commuter shoes are a great way to stay comfortable and blister-free on your morning trip to work! 

I hope this checklist helped determine what to pack in your work bag or add to your Amazon cart, to be best prepared for whatever the adventures of Washington, D.C. might bring you. What useful items will you choose to add to your bag?

Presley Wirebaugh
Office of Congressman Chip Roy
Spring 2023 | Washington, D.C

Living in Washington, D.C., means there’s always something to do! This city is fast-paced, with museums to explore, networking to be done, events to attend, people to meet, and reservations to make. It can get a little overwhelming if you try to do it all, but once you learn a healthy balance, you’ll be making memories and trying new things non-stop. Coming into this experience, I had big plans to see as much of the city as possible while getting the most out of my internship on the hill. After scrambling around the first few weeks, I learned it’s better to spread things out and plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time in the city…

1. Make a list of everything you want to do. Think museums, monuments, parks, shopping, restaurants, and parts of town. 
2. Figure out where each thing is located and how you can get there. You can access many places by taking the metro and walking, while for some, you’ll have to call an uber or take the bus.
3. Decide what to do and when! I realized lots of things are closer together than I originally thought so it might be more efficient to do two or three things in the same day if they’re all in the same part of town. This will save you money and time in the long run so you don’t have to pay for multiple ubers or metro rides to the same area.
4. Be flexible. Sometimes exhibits at museums are closed for renovations or for private events, or events sell out quickly. Things will not always work with your schedule, or plans will fall apart, so be willing to make adjustments when needed.
5. Don’t be afraid to do the same thing twice. You might love the place you visited and want to make plans to go back, and you should if it’s something you enjoyed. There’s no harm in repeating experiences if they bring you joy! One of the places I keep going back to is Old Town Alexandria. The area is so cute, and everyone is so nice!

Callie Nunan
Office of Congressman Randy Weber
Spring 2023 | Washington, D.C

Moving to D.C. for your internship is a big and scary thing, and I can say that honestly! But! It is also one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, and I am so thankful that I stepped out of my comfort zone to do it. Here are five preconceived notions I had before moving to D.C. and how they have been debunked after living here for two months!

It will be hard to get around places without a car

• I was really worried I would miss my car and being able to drive everywhere, but I do not miss it all that much. I am really grateful I do not have to commute in D.C. traffic every day to and from work. The metro is really user-friendly and is a much better form of transportation so far in my experience!

Everything will cost lots of money

• Don’t get me wrong, everything here is way more expensive than it is in Texas, BUT the good news is, there are lots of fun, inexpensive and free activities that you can do around the city. Most of the museums here are free, which is amazing, and can take up most of your weekends! My favorite free thing that I have done is go to the Smithsonian National Zoo!

It will be hard to make friends

• The A&M program is really great because you get to go through the same experience as 20 other people in the program. Moving to a whole new city really bonds you, and some of my best memories here are with people from my cohort!

I’ll get tired/bored of seeing the D.C. sights

• I thought that I would get tired of seeing the Capitol and memorials every day, but I can say for a fact that I do not. It will never get old to me that I am in one of the most historical places in the world with the most architecturally beautiful buildings. 

I’d miss Texas and feel homesick

• I definitely thought that I would feel homesick and miss Texas, but I can say that I don’t think about the Lonestar State as much as I thought I would. The D.C. life is just more my speed, and the culture is just something that you cannot get in Texas. I am in the process of hopefully getting a job and moving up here full time and saying goodbye to Texas! 

Emma Keiser
The Fertilizer Institute
Spring 2023 | Washington, D.C