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Environmental Conservation and Restoration in the D.C. Area

10Jun

If you are looking for an exciting weekend activity or an opportunity to network, volunteering in the D.C. area is a great way to achieve that. During my internship, I participated in a habitat restoration effort at Kingman Island and Dawson Terrance Park hosted by the D.C. Master Naturalist Program and the Society of Conversation Biology. During these events, we removed invasive vegetation to promote and protect native wildlife.

Removing invasive species is important for environmental restoration because they can degrade native habitats and compete with the wildlife for food, water, shelter, and space. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) invasive species cause “more than 100 billion dollars in damage each year to the U.S. economy. Costly effects include crop decimation, clogging of water facilities and waterways, wildlife and human disease transmission, threats to fisheries, increased fire vulnerability, and adverse effects for ranchers and farmers” (USGS, 2022).

In order to mitigate these consequences, we worked to remove the following species:

Bush Honeysuckle

Bush honeysuckle is native to Eurasia but is widely planted as an ornamental shrub in the United States. It can easily grow out of control and rapidly spread. If exposed to wild areas, it can inhibit the growth of native trees, shrubs, and ground layer species. It does so by blocking out sunlight, secreting toxic exudates, and depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients. In addition to that, Bush honeysuckle has negative consequences on native birds because the berries have a net-zero nutritional content. When birds consume the berries, they gain no nutrition benefit but are sated. This can lead to decreased chick survival and starvation.

Running Bamboo

Running bamboo is used ornamentally and is native to Asia. It is a highly aggressive and fast-growing plant species. Bamboo can suffocate native vegetation, decrease tree density, damage property and deplete soil nutrients. It is incredibly challenging to control and get rid of once roots have been established.

English Ivy

English ivy is another common ornamental plant and is native to Eurasia. It is a climbing vine that covers and kills trees, cokes ground plants, and creates “ivy deserts” where nothing else can thrive. It promotes mosquito populations by providing an environment where puddles and wet soils can collect. English ivy can also carry and spread Bacterial Leaf Scorch, a plant pathogen detrimental to oaks, elms, and maples.

After these species have been fully removed at each location, native wildflowers, ground cover, and shrubs will take their place in the spring. I found this educational opportunity as a refreshing break from work and a great way to network with wildlife and environmental professionals.

If you are also looking for events that pertain to your field of interest or would like to network over an activity, an easy way to find events is to google search “events near me” or visit the Eventbrite website at: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/dc–washington/events/.

Shawnee Chavez
The Fertilizer Institute
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

7 Tips for a Congressional Intern

10Jun

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an intern on Capitol Hill? Through my time as a Congressional intern, I have picked up a few tips that will help you survive on the Hill.

#7 Dress to Impress

Make sure to dress appropriately. It’s always a good idea to dress business professional at first and just feel out your office. In my office, we dressed business professional when we were in session and business casual on out of session days. We were also allowed to wear nice jeans when we were out of session, but make sure that is appropriate in your office. When in doubt, throw on a blazer to up your look.

#6 Be On-Time

ALWAYS be on time! It looks very unprofessional if you are late to work frequently. In my experience, I was usually the first one at the office and had to wait in the hallway until one of my coworkers got there. It looks much better for you to be early and waiting rather than late and people waiting for you.

#5 Communicate with Your Supervisor

Tying back to my last point, if you are going to be late, make sure you communicate this to your supervisor. Your supervisor is there to make sure you have a successful internship experience, so you need to communicate with them what you hope to gain from your internship and what you hope to accomplish during your internship. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand or need help.

#4 Confidentiality is KEY!

When interning in a Congressional office, you have to keep some information confidential. For example, if you have access to your Congressperson’s schedule, you shouldn’t share that with anyone! What is said in the office, should stay in the office most of the time. Its ok to share stories of your day with your roommates, but just keep certain information to yourself.

#3 Don’t Take Things Personally

This was one of the biggest things I had to learn. If a caller is rude to you, don’t take it personally. They probably aren’t really upset with you, but just with the situation in general. It is also important to know what your office’s protocol is for rude callers. In my office, I was allowed to tell the caller that I was going to put them on hold until they calmed down and most of the time they just hung up after that. If a caller ever makes you feel uncomfortable or starts making threats towards you or your Congressperson, make sure to notify your supervisor.

#2 Be Open to Learning New Things

Don’t close yourself off to opportunities just because you think it might not be interesting to you. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Don’t close yourself off to only one area of interest. Any time someone in your office asks you to help with something, say yes! You have nothing to lose by learning new skills.

#1 Put 110% Into Your Internship

The most important rule is to put your best effort into your internship experience. What you get out of the experience is dependent on what you put into it. Make sure to take every opportunity offered to you and seek out opportunities for yourself! If there is a hearing you want to go to or a meeting you want to attend, just ask! The worst they could say is no. This internship experience opens a world of opportunities to you so make the most of it! You don’t want to leave having any regrets that you didn’t get to do something.

Mikayla Wrenn
Office of Congressman Louie Gohmert
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

A Guide to Living as a College Student in D.C.

10Jun

When I learned that I got into the DC internship program, I was extremely excited and could not wait to live in the area for the semester. One thing I did not expect about moving up here, though, is what a culture shock it would be. The DMV area is such a young, truly urban and fast area, almost a complete 180 from Texas. Navigating life here, especially as a 19 year old college student, was such a new experience for me, but I learned my way around and how to have the best experience of my life during the internship. Here are some tips that I learned from my experience!

First, find like-minded people you can hang out with in the area! A great way to start this is trying to connect with your fellow interns from A&M. I was lucky to be paired with someone with a very similar lifestyle to me as my roommate, and I was able to find many other interns that I became fast friends with. Additionally, DC is all about meeting new people through other people! I found new friends from people my roommates were friends with or worked with, so it’s a great and easy way to find people to spend time within the area.

Next, stay on a budget! This is perhaps the most important lesson you can learn for DC. The area is so incredibly expensive, and much more costly than Texas for sure (or Atlanta, where I’m from). The more you can save on things like food and transportation, the more money you will have to have other experiences! There are two big things you can do to save money. Cook family meals with your roommates at home; by buying groceries in bulk, you can save so much money! Second: use the metro system! Uber and Lyft are so expensive in the area, and using public transportation is a much cheaper option to travel around the area.

Next, explore the area! I know that all the interns coming to DC are passionate about their policy interests and the internships they are going to, and that can make it very easy to fall into a work-only mindset. While it is very important to take full advantage of your internship and the experience you can gain for it, it’s also important to take time for yourself and do something fun. The DMV area has no shortage of attractions in addition to the famous sites in the area, and there is something for everyone to explore here.

Lastly, take a moment to relax! Recognize that you were chosen for this program because you are completely capable of handling the responsibilities and the tasks that come with both the internship and the living experience. It’s important for you to be proud of yourself for that, so take some time to think about it and enjoy what DC has in store for you!

Nitya Jella
Global Cold Chain Alliance
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Museums to Visit in Washington, D.C.

10Jun

Are you in a new workplace environment? Are you in a city over 1,000 miles away from home? Or are you adjusting to living in a new apartment and roommates? While living in Washington, D.C., I have certainly had to deal with these situations. Having dealt with these, I quickly learned that one of the best ways to relax and unwind is by visiting the local museums. Although walking between four to five miles, traversing security, and surviving the fluctuating weather does not sound like the ideal for relaxation, museum touring can be just the answer for your situational woes. Here are the top three museum locations I have had the opportunity to visit, explore, and learn:

The National Art Gallery

Established in 1937 from a generous donation of funds and exhibits from Andrew W. Mellon, the National Art Gallery is a beautiful collection of pieces spanning across centuries. This museum provides a perfect array of viewing locations, furniture, and refreshments for the optimal visit experience. My personal favorite pieces can be found in the Flemish and French exhibits!

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

As an all-time, iconic location in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is a must-see. From its towering fossils to its immersive mineral exhibits, this museum has something for everyone. I would recommend attending this museum with a friend! This will not only make the event feel more relaxed, having someone with another perspective with you will make every exhibit feel a bit deeper.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The most visually striking and culturally impactful museum on the National Mall must be the National Museum of African American History and Culture. With a staggering six-floor design, one can spend an entire day at this museum. Due to its enormity, this museum has a wide array of materials and artifacts that relate to African American culture and the way in which it has influenced pop culture.

With this list of museums, you can make your visit to D.C., even more relaxing! The question is, which one will you visit first?

Jace Wilkey
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
spring 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Day in the Life of an Online Press Intern

2Dec

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to serve as a congressional intern hundreds of miles away from Washington D.C.? I was wondering that exact thought as I transitioned my internship with Congressman Kevin Brady to a virtual setting this fall. I’m sharing a day in my life as a virtual intern and all the great things I’ve gained even though I wasn’t able to be in D.C.

Since my freshman year of college serving as an intern through the ANRP program has always been a dream! Hearing from former interns during informationals about their incredible experiences and travels while working in D.C. always inspired me. So when I had the opportunity to work for my congressional representative, Kevin Brady, as a Press Intern I never would have imagined I would not make it to the capital. Due to pandemic and other personal circumstances I decided it would be best for me to transition to a remote setting for the semester.

While I’m working from Aggieland, I’ve still had the chance to work on a wide range tasks while remote and keeping me on my toes this semester to say the least. Here’s what a normal day working from home looks like for me:

  • Wake up around 7am to get around and have a cup of coffee before starting on my daily reports and duties.
  • After finishing my daily reports, I’ll usually take care of any work I have for my classes through Texas A&M.
  • Since I am working remotely, I keep my laptop with me anywhere I go in case I get an assignment from anyone at the office and can stay up to date with work. I’ll make sure and take care of any additional assignments I have throughout the day. Some of the tasks I have done throughout the semester include transcribing and summarizing interviews, drafting newsletters and updates to constituents, and listening and taking notes in meetings and press conferences.
  • I’ll wind down at the end of the day by checking local news sources for interesting activities and stories happening in the district for my weekly assignment of finding stories that are shared on the Congressman’s social media accounts or researching for my semester long research project.

Although this experience isn’t what I would have imagined it to be originally, I’m so grateful for the life and professional skills I’ve gained throughout my time working remote. It’s also been a blessing to be surrounded by the support of my family and friends with my increased workload and in dealing with the stresses of the pandemic. It also helped to have my “co-worker” Tortellini by my side while I’ve worked from home this semester. I would encourage anyone considering ANRP to make the best of the opportunity even it is only from home!

Grace Crow
Office of Congressman Kevin Brady
Washington, D.C. | fall 2020

5 Lessons I Learned as a Virtual Intern in 2020

2Dec

This year has been a time of ups, downs, and absolute craziness. Whether it was a global pandemic, wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington, or the presidential election, nothing this year has been predictable or average. Despite the setbacks of 2020, my internship this fall semester with the House Committee on Agriculture has been nothing short of amazing!

My name is Anna Lad, and I’m a master’s student currently studying Science and Technology Journalism here at Texas A&M, after graduating in May ’20 with a Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences degree. However, this semester, I was able to be part of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy (ANRP) internship program as a virtual intern.

During the months I’ve interned virtually for the Ag Committee, I’ve learned a bevy of new things. However, I think these five are the ones that will stick with me for years to come!

  1. Don’t be afraid to Ask Questions! – Washington D.C. is a networking community. Most tasks, assignments, and jobs are all passed on via word-of-mouth. Because I’m a virtual intern, I have to be more intentional. This semester, I’ve learned to email people I’ve never met and ask for a 15-minute Zoom coffee, something that was pretty daunting at first. I make sure to be more attentive in meetings and briefings as well as ask questions right away. In non-Covid times, I could just swing by a person’s desk. Now, I make sure to cover all my bases or else the email chains get way too long!
  2. Keep a Record of People You Meet – There are a lot of people in Washington D.C. You want to remember as many as possible – not because ‘she who networks the most wins’, but because most people are genuine fountains of knowledge and advice. If you have a terrible memory, like me – or even if you don’t – an address book or excel sheet is a great idea. In mine, I list everyone I’ve “met” with in virtual meetings, what we talked about, and when. That way, I can thank them for their time, follow up later, and keep tabs on my assignments. To be honest, it’s just great to put faces to names. The rapidly changing nature of the House this fall only makes it even more crucial to get to know everyone.
  3. It’s OK if you get COVID-19! My supervisor and my coworkers were so understanding when I came down with coronavirus midway through October. Luckily, I had a mild case and was only out for a few days. Because I was virtual, I could return to the work-from-home life while my quarantine was still in effect.
  4. Set up an Office Schedule & Area – It’s so important to be able to manage your time wisely, especially if you have a lot going on! I’m in an interesting spot because I’m interning part-time for the House Agriculture Committee, while starting grad school full time here at Texas A&M. I had to come up with some effective organization solutions really quickly. That included:
    • Time blocking my days for school and my internship
    • Doing ANRP work only at my desk (except when it’s nice outside!)
    • Reading up on background information in my spare time
  1. Dress Up for Work – We’re all familiar with the pajama pants + dress shirt combination. That doesn’t mean it’s a good one, however. Putting on business casual clothes for my virtual meetings and projects helped me to get in the professional mindset. I’m not saying jacket and heels, but it was definitely a beneficial mental shift to prepare beforehand. Since virtual interns can’t commute to work, I think we miss out on the transition to that mindset. I’ve found that maintaining business casual clothes helps me get ready for working.

These are just a few of the lessons I’ve learned in the last few months in my internship with the House Committee on Agriculture.

What have your experiences working or interning during this pandemic taught you? What advice would you give to other students?

Anna Lad
House Committee on Agriculture
Washington, D.C. | fall 2020

Falling in Love with Policy

2Dec

If you were to tell me at the beginning of my freshman year in college that I would be interning in a congressional office after graduation, I would tell you that would absolutely never happen… BUT now you’re reading my ANRP blog post.

Fall 2016 was my first semester at Texas A&M, and the year I became registered to vote. In high school, I was oblivious to anything related to government, but starting college opened my eyes into the world of policy. I think it’s important the readers know that I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and plan to go to Dental School within the next couple of years. I thrived in STEM classes so I was not excited that I would have to take two political science classes in college. While taking these classes I was able to appreciate government and did a lot of personal growing up and realized that everyone is affected by government policies, and that you should care about what our political leaders are working on. After hearing about the ANRP Internship program I thought applying for it would be my next step in understanding the whole process of how things happen in Washington DC.

While being up here I was able to experience how a congressional office works, even in the midst of a pandemic. I also learned that congressional offices work continuously to improving their community and the lives of their constituents. It was also very memorable to be in our nation’s capital this past presidential election. Looking back at 2016, I regret not voting because that is the only thing we as citizens can do, especially as a woman it’s important that we practice this right that was given to us. I’m very hopeful for the future and can’t wait to continue falling in love with policy.

Zenaida Alamiz
Office of Congressman Filemon Vela
Washington, D.C. | fall 2020

The Little Blessings in Strange Times

12Nov

2020 is a year in American history like 1941 and 1776 that although people at the time did not want due to major interruptions in normal life, generations afterward still study to learn how the people of the time overcame such great obstacles. Back in February when I applied for ANRP, I would not have wanted the current situation; however, one day l want to look back and remember the unique opportunities this strange time brought me and how I used them to better myself as a person. Below are three things I have learned that have allowed me to maximize my extremely unique ANRP experience.

  1. There is always a silver lining – I find it important to view my DC experience as unique, and not worse or limited. The COVID era has brought changes, but not every change is necessarily bad. As a congressional intern one opportunity I have taken full advantage of is having unlimited access to the US Capitol. In particular, while normally the rotunda is a bustling, noisy place with the suspension of tours I often just sit on the benches, with the whole area literally to myself, and read in the quiet or admire the beautiful artwork that graces the entire dome.
  2. Use the extra free time well – With no visitors to the office much of my job as an intern has been taken away, but with less work comes more free time. With that time, I have toured the National Mall, visited Baltimore, National Park areas, and even read books I had put off. Bottom line, I use every day to its fullest, even if it is not what I thought it would be.
  3. Take advantage of every opportunity – Even during these strange times, I still choose to take advantage of the opportunities that have not been closed. Last weekend the annual White House garden tour, though modified, was still put on and so I grabbed a few of my roommates and went. What an amazing experience too, walking through the historic Rose Garden, seeing through the windows of the Oval Office, and taking up-close pictures of the White House. It was every history nerd’s dream!

I realize we are all facing many of the same challenges in this strange time, but I have learned to not just look to the future but seize every opportunity offered today.

James Hodges
Office of Congressman Jodey Arrington
Washington, D.C. | fall 2020

Advice from an Introvert

22Oct

I am an introvert through and through. A few weeks ago I moved to a city I had never been to before, became roommates with two girls I had never met, started a new job, and I have done all of this in the middle of a pandemic. Since I have been here, I have walked like 100 miles, had about 1,000 Zoom meetings, and met 21 new people. As an introvert, it was an extremely overwhelming situation. However, I would not trade it for the world! Even though I have only been here for two weeks, I have made great friends, learned so much, and am already making plans to move here! If I could give any advice to my fellow introverts, it would include the following:

  • Take meeting new people one day at a time! Start with your roommates and go from there.
  • Bring any game you could possibly think of! This is a great way to break the ice and takes the pressure off of you. Our cohort has game nights almost every night.
  • Playing sports is always a fun and easy way to get to know a larger group of people.
  • Don’t worry about! At the end of the day, everyone is in the same boat as you. Just be yourself!

I was surprised at how quickly I was able to make friends. We have already explored D.C., visited a national park, and have had multiple game nights/sports outings. I am so excited for the opportunity to get to know everyone better over the rest of the semester!

Mackenzie Jeter
National Farmers Union
Washington, D.C. | fall 2020

How to Make the Most Out of a Reopening District of Columbia

22Oct

Due to increasing COVID-19 concerns, this establishment is temporarily closed or not operating in its normal capacity until further notice.

These seem to be words that have become far too familiar to us and the rest of the world over these last few months. With most of our country being in a state of slow reopening, most of the everyday things and activities we’ve become so accustomed to have been limited or scaled back to some degree. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most of the situation by striving to find the little silver linings that are still all around us. Through this internship we have a unique opportunity to be living in the heart of our nation’s capital and only have but a few months to take advantage of it. Even though not everything here is fully open and operational just yet, I still plan to make my time here a great adventure. So here is some of my advice of how I have been able to make the most of a socially distant district.

  1. Find some fun outdoor spaces and explore!

We happen to have an Aggie cohort that loves to be active and outside, so one of the first daytrips we took outside of the city was visiting Shenandoah National Park. This park is roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive into northern Virginia and it was worth every second of the journey. We went on a gorgeous scenic hike to the highest peak in the national park and it was a beautiful escape into nature and it was very breathtaking to see such a pretty part of this side of the country. Any chance you can get to get out and see new parts of the area, I highly encourage it! There is so much more places to explore and see around us than you think!

  1. Do you research and make some reservations!

Whether it be restaurants in the area that are starting to have their dining rooms open up again or museums and exhibits that have limited occupational capacities, there are still plenty of places to go visit during these unprecedented times. When I say do your research, look into what is and isn’t open around the city and make reservations ahead of time to secure a time to go venture with your friends and enjoy what the DMV area still has to offer!

  1. Make the National Mall your favorite picnic location!

One of DC’s constants during this pandemic has been the National Mall stretch. Thanks to it being completely outdoors and having plenty of room to be socially distant, one of the capital’s monumental staples is still free and available for the public to see and enjoy. This nearly two mile park is home to many of our nation’s most famous monuments, mixed in with a few reflection pools and lots of stretches of grass which are the perfect set up for a picnic or a day off from work. One of my favorite things that we have done since being here is we had a just girl’s day where we made a charcuterie board and ate it right under the Washington Monument. Talk about a one-of-a-kind view. It’s the simple things like that lead to the best of days and memories made with friends!

  1. Get outside your comfort zone and make new friends and connections!

One of the neatest parts of the ANRP/PPIP programs is that you get to live with other Aggies. Moving to an entirely different city halfway across the country can definitely be intimidating so it’s such a great comfort to be surrounded by other Aggies that are facing the same transition as you, it’s like already having a built in support system. As easy as it is to just hang out with the friends from the A&M cohort, I challenge you to still get outside of your comfort zone and get to know new people in and around the area. Whether that be other Aggies that are outside the cohort on the hill, or some of your fellow interns in your office, take advantage of every opportunity to network and make a new friend. You never know where that relationship or interaction may take you later in life, especially if you make your way back to DC later down the road.

  1. Take advantage of the Metro not being crowded!

This is one of the only things I think we can truly thank COVID-19 for. With most people and companies choosing to telework in the city until the end of the calendar year, that makes DC’s famous public transportation system far less crowded than normal. This makes for peaceful and easy commutes to and from work and less impacted peak travel times. Also who doesn’t love having the assurance of always being able to find a seat while riding the Metro.

  1. *BONUS* For those that are working on the hill in person, use that intern badge to its fullest potential!

The Capitol, House, and Senate buildings may be closed to the public but if you happen to be fortunate enough to be working in person in one of them, explore! Take that extra walk back from lunch and see the unseen parts of our nation’s capital, ask your supervisor to give you a tour of where you work. This may be one of the only times in your life where you will have this type of opportunity and access to see these neat places where history is quite literally made every day. Show off that intern badge and enjoy the ride and the perks that come along with it!

At the end of the day, this internship is completely what you make of it so why not make the best of it! Sure, COVID-19 has certainly altered some of the normalcy that would traditionally come along with this program but that doesn’t make this particular experience any less special. Take advantage of all that you can in the city but most of all enjoy yourself, embrace the journey, and make DC your home for the time being!

Macey Hammerstrom
House Committee on Agriculture – minority office
Washington, D.C. | fall 2020

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