Experiencing a new city, new job, and new people halfway across the country all simultaneously is enough to make anyone a bit overwhelmed, especially if you come from a small town (shout out to El Campo, Texas). However… I did not expect to fall in love so quickly with Washington, D.C.! The past few weeks, I’ve been getting into the groove, trying completely new things yet also looking for little pieces of home as I explore the city. I did not expect to learn as much personally as I am professionally, so I’m sharing the not-so-obvious lessons I’ve learned.

Life is too short to play it safe

For most of my life, I wanted to be a lawyer. I was always somewhat interested in politics, with my interest in agriculture being something I stumbled upon and developed in high school. In my adult life, I would say I’ve always been able to identify what I’m passionate about, what work excites me, and what gets me out of bed in the morning. I’ve struggled with figuring out what career fits these interests and putting it into words when I get the “so, what do you want to do when you graduate?” question. While I still am working on the answer to that question, the one thing I know for certain is that I’m passionate about agriculture, policy, and helping people. Since I first stepped foot at Texas A&M, I quickly identified that the ANRP Internship Program was something I wanted. It almost didn’t seem real when the time came to finally apply for the program about half a year ago, let alone that I got accepted and that I’m actually in D.C. right now as I’m writing this. As I was applying, I had recently figured out and decided that I no longer wanted to go to law school or be a lawyer. It left me in a weird place, not knowing what my future would hold, at a time when I was getting asked those questions more than ever. Even if your plans are changing or you’re not exactly sure what you want to do, internships like these are one of the best things you can ever do for yourself (like seriously). You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just have to take that leap of faith to pursue what’s calling you. And regardless of how intimidating the thought of D.C. was to me, D.C. was calling, and I had to answer. If there is a time to go out and experience things, to get to ask “dumb” questions, to expose yourself to new ideas, to take a stab at something you’ve always found interesting, to make mistakes, I really feel like in my case it’s now. There will always be a million reasons why you can convince yourself NOT to do something… but what’s the harm in trying? 

Dolly tried to warn me – my first 9 to 5

When making my D.C. summer itinerary, I had it absolutely jam-packed. Smithsonian’s, monuments, memorials, and every touristy thing in the east coast area one could possibly think of. What I failed to consider, which may seem silly or obvious to others, is that sometimes I am too tired to treat every weekend like a brand-new tourist. I LOVE my office and my job, but going from a pandemic college schedule to a 40-hour work week for the very first time is definitely an adjustment for anyone regardless! To be a bit dramatic- the FOMO (fear of missing out) I felt on weekends or evenings after work when everyone else was doing their brunches or sight-seeing almost felt debilitating. I had to learn that while, in some ways, this feels like an extended vacation this summer, I’m also living and working here full time. So, sometimes it is perfectly OK to be too tired to do absolutely everything! I had to allow myself the privilege of resting and recharging, not feeling guilty or like I was wasting my time in D.C. by not getting the absolute most out of it. With my first taste of office and 9 to 5 life, I’ve learned that it is ok to have a night in, to not be at 100% energy all the time and that you really have to prioritize self-care and your rest time just as much as you have to see everything that has our nation’s Capitol has to offer. Between sight-seeing and meeting with people, I don’t think I had a “night in” after work for my first two weeks of living here and let me tell you; it was exhausting! If you want to do your best with your new job, meet new people, or do whatever you are pursuing, you also need to take care of yourself and allow yourself time to rest.

Everyone is actually like, really nice

I didn’t even realize how much I’m learning while living and working here because I’m unaware of what I’m picking up on as they’re happening. Not just about the unspoken aspects of living and working in D.C., but learning the policy process as a whole and doing so first-hand. This could also be because I’m thoroughly enjoying getting to have an active role in participating in it. I can get intimidated when I think about how sometimes politicians can be celebrities or feel nervous when meeting someone with a higher position or a lot of influence. One of the coolest things I keep thinking about is that the impressive people I get to meet with or see working started as an intern just like me. These people have been willing to help me without even thinking twice because they were once in the same position that I’m in as an intern. While some people may seem unreachable or extremely intimidating, they are just people. I’ve always thought politics to be so polarizing and divisive and know that sometimes it can get ugly. Physically being in D.C. I’m finding that it isn’t that way here because everyone has to work together to make things happen. Besides the fact that this is our country’s Capitol and everything that comes along with the aspect of living in a federal district, what has made my experience the most memorable is the people. Being surrounded by like-minded people who are passionate and interested in the same thing you are, in a place like this, is so special. Everyone here genuinely wants to help others and make a difference in the specific areas of interest that they are passionate about! While this may seem obvious to some, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how kind and hospitable everyone here has been to me. 

I also didn’t realize how young this city is and that our federal government is essentially run by 22–30 year old’s behind the scenes. If you are graduating college or love the young professional atmosphere, Washington D.C. is PERFECT for you! It is a great transition, especially coming from a college town like College Station into a city where the social and professional spaces are set up to where you can thrive. Network like crazy, make connections, and meet as many people as possible, but don’t get too caught up in what everyone else is doing. We all have different goals, ideas, interests, backgrounds, and experiences, and everyone is doing their own thing or is seeking other things out of their experiences here.

You can take the girl out of texas, but….

This may be because I am one of the most sentimental people ever, but opportunities like these teach you so much more than just the job itself. As I stated before, this job and program have given me invaluable learning experiences and opportunities I enjoy more than anything I’ve ever worked on. However, I truly feel that to not only survive but to thrive in new situations like these or when given these amazing opportunities, you have to embrace the struggle to make a home that feels like your own. Rather than learning to live away from home or do without one, leaders must learn to live in and between two homes — a local and a global home. It is important to me that while pursuing these ambitions, I’m still acknowledging where I come from and the things that make me, me. Without a local home, we lose our roots; without a global home, we lose our reach. I’m doing my best to stay grounded while giving all I have. The trouble with moving around and falling in love with new places is that you leave a piece of your heart in each of them. Although my time here this summer is short, D.C. will always have a piece of my heart, and I would not be surprised if I ended up finding my way back here for a bit longer. 

Carly Oldag
National Association of Wheat Growers
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

One of the greatest parts about this internship is meeting people. Networking comes easier to some than others, so here is a guide on how to network from a fellow intern who used to have a hard time with it. 

How to Network:

1. Be Social: The first step in networking is to get out of your comfort zone and talk to people. It is a good idea to have a few ice-breaker questions lined up in your head beforehand. 

2. Be Sincere: Whatever you are saying, make sure you mean it. You never know when someone you just met will remember what you said later in life, so whatever you say, make sure you are sincere with yourself and them. 

3. Be Humble: Sometimes, it’s easy to get too comfortable with someone you are networking with, which may come off as rude; remember to be humble. 

4. Be Committed: When you network with people, make sure that they know you are committed. Make sure they feel like giving you their time is worth the investment. 

5. Be Sure to Follow Up: If you want someone to remember your conversation, follow up with an email or text and thank them for their time.

Niko Nemanic
Office of Congressman August Pfluger
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Before my internship, I had never been to D.C. I wanted to ensure that I made the most out of my time here, so I made a checklist of things I wanted to do and see. At first, it seemed daunting. How would I ever be able to go to all the museums and see all of the things that I had hoped for when I am working full time? Here is some advice for those who want to explore as much as possible. 

1. Wake up early!

The best way to make the most of your time is to do as much as possible on the weekends. While it is tempting to sleep in on your days off, starting earlier gives you more time to visit museums and other places before they close. Most museums are open from 9 to 5. 

      2. Make a list!

While I am not a type A person who enjoys planning every detail out, I think this is the best way to tackle your D.C. bucket list. Each week, I try to figure out what I want to do each evening. On the weekends, I have a more planned-out itinerary detailing all of the activities I want to do. 

     3. Hang out with friends!

A lot of people want to indulge in the history and culture of D.C., so ask a roommate or friend to join you on adventures. You can make lifelong memories and better develop your friendships through these activities. 

Katelyn Klawinsky
Office of Congressman Jake Ellzey
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Are you an outdoors lover who’s on the fence about moving to the city? This post is for you! As someone who was in your shoes, I’m here to share my tips for how to get out in nature while you’re in D.C.

What do you think about when someone mentions Washington, D.C.? Probably not the great outdoors. I know I didn’t, and I certainly didn’t expect to see a nature trail here either. I love spending time in nature, so before I arrived, I mentally braced for Mount Vernon to be the closest I got to that (on an unrelated note, I do highly recommend visiting Mount Vernon – best view of the Potomac you’ll find). Consider this post a short guide to some of the best ways to experience nature while in D.C.

My absolute favorite is Great Falls National Park (pictured). It is in McLean, Virginia, just 15 miles outside of town. It’s only accessible via car, unfortunately, but it’s absolutely worth it. I hiked almost 7 miles while I was there and still didn’t cover all the trails. There’s a lot of variety in the types of trails too – outdoor junkies like me would love the River Trail, where there are a lot of places to do some rock climbing. The view of the falls is close to the entrance and is ADA accessible so that everyone can enjoy it. Connected to the north side of the park is Riverbend State Park, which features similar trails along the river.

Another cool way to get outside is to rent the Capital Bikeshare bikes and bike the Potomac! I did an hour and a half ride, and it only cost $5.70 – easily one of the cheapest things to do in the city. Plus, you get to decide where you want to go, and there are racks all over the city to return the bikes to, so you can tailor your trip.

If you are on the fence about going to the city just because of the lack of nature, don’t worry! There are plenty more options outside of these to get you out there. Where will you go next?

Erin Kavanagh
Office of Congressman Kevin Brady
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

A new place, new people, and new experiences come with moving to a new city. Being in practically the most famous city in the United States for ten weeks is just as exciting as it seems. But are we considered ‘locals’ now? We are not just visiting… but we’re also only living here for ten weeks out of the entire year. So what does that make the 24 transplanted Aggies residing in Washington, D.C., this summer? Locals, or just more (thankfully not eighth grade) tourists trying to do and see everything before leaving again?

It’s not -that- hard.

I mean, come on, I know I’m not the only one who puts on my business casual outfit I bought only weeks (okay maybe days) before moving here and feels like I’m on top of the world and so much more ~local~ than those lost tourists (who I looked exactly like two weeks prior) trying to figure out the metro system (of which I still get lost on). 

Of course, you have to find all the hidden gems and be able to talk about them with your coworkers, or maybe just to impress another lost tourist when they ask for dinner recommendations. 

And absolutely avoid Georgetown (so no cupcakes?), find out how to get to Old Town (wherever that is), and find your favorite local (no Dutch Bros?) coffee shop to visit at least twice a week because this town runs on caffeine.

Finally, the Secret.

Being a local means you’re supposed to be able to get around without Google maps helping you out, right? Absolutely not, unless you want your 20-minute commute home to turn into a 2-hour commute after getting on the wrong metro. But, besides the point, D.C. is such a wonderful city and unlike anywhere I have ever been, let alone lived. The secret to ‘looking like a local’ is actually to not act like one. It’s important to embrace the tourist attractions, overpriced cupcakes, and swarms of eighth graders that seem to be around every corner. Without all of those, you truly would not get to experience the city in the way it is meant to be explored.

Grace Bennett
American Farm Bureau Federation
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.

Did you know that are more than 160 monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C? One of the best things about living and working in Washington, D.C., is how close you are to the different monuments and memorials. As well as how close the monuments and memorials are to each other. Below are my top monuments and memorials to visit while in Washington, D.C. 

1. The Washington Monument – Completed in 1885 at one time, this monument was the tallest building/structure in the world. Unfortunately, it lost that distinction a little over a year after it was completed. However, to this day, it is still the tallest freestanding stone structure in the world. It is also the tallest point in Washington, D.C. You can visit the top of the Washington Monument, and there you will have the best view of D.C. There is also a small museum at the top of the monument that tells a bit of the history of the monument’s construction.
2. The Lincoln Memorial – Completed in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial is both a local and tourist favorite. It is also where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a dream…” speech. Like other memorials and monuments in the National Mall, it is open 24/7. If you go behind the Lincoln memorial during sunset, you will see the best sunset in all of D.C. It is also the perfect place to have lunch and people watch. 
3. World War I Memorial – This memorial is different than the other ones above in that it is still being completed. However, it is still, in my opinion, one to visit. The memorial will feature a bronze sculpture that will show the story of the soldier and plaques that tell the history behind World War I. 

These are my favorite 3 memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C. However, there are plenty of other ones to visit as well. Which one will you see first? 

Tatum Hausman
House Committee on Agriculture
Washington, D.C. | Spring 2022