OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
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As I stumbled into my apartment, having faced a chaotic hour of dragging my suitcases across the streets of the Foggy Bottom campus, I couldn’t help but take in the fact that South Hall Room 910 would be my home for the next few months. The idea of spending a summer away from home didn’t sit well in my stomach, especially since I had been abroad the past quarter and rushed to this program the minute I landed in the States. This was also my first proper summer away from home, as I had worked remote internships during my first two summers in college. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
However, during my first weekend here after chatting with the VCIs during a gathering within our apartment, I realized all too well that such feelings of anxiety and uneasiness were not rare. Each intern had a story to tell, particularly about the dissonance of expectations and reality. As future VCIs read my story, all 16 of us can assure you that this experience will start off rocky as any new experience, but in the end, you will have learned so much from your time, having blossomed into beautiful young adults. With that, I would like to leave with two important lessons I have gained.
- DC is a big city. It may not be New York or Chicago, but it does have quite a few nooks and crooks you will have to figure out when venturing around. Oftentimes, it felt daunting to step a foot outside, to explore beyond the daily commute from Foggy Bottom to Capitol Hill that had cemented within my mind. I wasn’t confident in my ability to navigate, proceeding to regress on any plans I had. As my second week in the program approached, and I heard of the stories the fellow VCIs had to say about their adventures around DC, I realized, that if I had come this far and was willing to live away from home, I should take advantage of this opportunity. Even if I was afraid when moving in, I still stuck through with living in a new city for eight weeks. I couldn’t let my fear hold me back, especially when I was already in the city. The more I stayed afraid and chose not to pursue what I desired, the more I would lose in the experience. With that mantra in mind, I would set to explore museums, concerts, and the other unique places offered by DC’s boisterous social life. Do it scared, no matter what it is.
- In addition to this being my first summer away from home, this was also my first time in a traditional 9-5 work environment. My first week on the job was a bit overwhelming, having to navigate a new building, learning to use different technologies, and getting a hang of the main processes in my office that I would help manage as an intern. I think one of the scariest things in life can be asking for help or asking for something that you need. Although my office was incredibly accommodating and supportive, it can still feel scary to ask for things, especially as an intern. Within my first week, I quickly realized that certain tech products within the office would not be accessible to me, so I let my office know. From there, I connected with the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, as well as technical support staff from Intranet Quorum, my office’s constituent management system, to troubleshoot and find solutions. Even as my internship progressed, there were still times when things were not accessible or were difficult. I continued to ask for help, regardless if it scared me to do so. Outside of accommodations, don’t be afraid to ask your intern coordinator if you want to attend specific hearings or briefings, sit in on constituent meetings, or take on projects within your specific policy interests. Your office wants you to have the best experience possible, and the truth is that they do not know what you want or need unless you tell them. The learning curve might be steep, but the moral of the story – always advocate for yourself.
Reflecting on what I’ve learned, I hope my experiences can benefit others in the future. My time in the VCI program has certainly exceeded all of my expectations. Till next time, DC!
