First-ever comprehensive Congressional intern orientation held in collaboration with the House Select Committee on the Modernization Of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC, September 18th, 2021 — The POPVOX Foundation and the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project hosted the first-ever “Internapalooza,” in collaboration with the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (aka “ModCom”) on September 9-10. Over 280 current and prospective interns attended virtual sessions designed to familiarize them with Congress and give them skills to succeed in their internship and beyond.

The event was inspired by the April 2021 ModCom hearing on “Professionalizing and Enriching the Congressional Internship and Fellowship Experience,” which noted a lack of diversity and access to Congressional internships, the need for standardized training, and a lack of data to help Congress understand intern backgrounds, barriers, and experiences.

In his opening statement at the hearing, Select Committee Chair Derek Kilmer [D, WA] said:

“We know that many Hill careers do begin as internships. What we don't know is how many potential Hill careers end because of internships, and that's something we really need to consider [...]. Congress needs to figure out how to recruit interns who reflect the diversity of our constituencies, and then provide those interns with an experience that makes them want to pursue a career on the Hill.”

Select Committee Vice Chair William Timmons [R, SC] explained:

“The internship program has so much potential—it can do so much good, but unfortunately, for too many people, internships are an obstacle, not a stepping stone in their career. For years, committees in Congress have talked about staffing challenges: as far back as 1946, recommendations have been made regarding congressional staff. That just goes to show how hard these institutional challenges are to fix. Attracting talented and hardworking interns and retaining qualified staff is a struggle for many offices on the Hill. [...] I welcome discussion on how we can improve and build upon those recommendations in order to attract and retain qualified and diverse interns and staff.”

Internapalooza addressed these challenges head-on, by providing a chance for incoming Congressional interns to network with peers and mentors, learn from current and former staff on tasks and expectations in Congressional internships, and make the most of opportunities opened up by an internship in the First Branch.

POPVOX Foundation Co-founder Marci Harris explained that Internapalooza demonstrated the willingness of civil society organizations to work with Congress to address these problems.

“This event was the result of tremendous collaboration by the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project. Initial data from the event shows that this fall’s congressional interns are a diverse group from a variety of backgrounds. The broad participation in Internapalooza shows the need and enthusiasm for this kind of event that brings people together across geographies, backgrounds, and party lines.”

ABOUT INTERNAPALOOZA

Internapalooza is a free, virtual two-day event to help incoming interns start their semester off right with a level playing field and new friends from day one. The event provided interns with basic information about the legislative process and Capitol Hill, networking opportunities and tips on how to be a successful intern. It was hosted by the POPVOX Foundation and the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project, in collaboration with the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. The event was sponsored by Square, with ongoing support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Democracy Fund.

In addition to the main Internapalooza program, the Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds and the House Committee on Ethics held official training sessions in the morning. Congressional Relationship Management software providers Leidos, Fireside and IndieGov also hosted intern training sessions.

Internapalooza session videos are available at: https://www.internproject.org/internapalooza and include:

Historical Perspective from the US Capitol Historical Society
Intern Project panel: Approaching your Internship for Success
Expert panel: Orienting to the Political, Physical & Digital Capitol
Staff panel: Working as Part of a Congressional Team

QUOTES FROM INTERNAPALOOZA PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Former Member of Congress Rep. Dennis Ross, Interim CEO of College to Congress:

“It was my honor speaking to the future leaders of public service today at the first-ever Internapalooza. Interning on Capitol Hill is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the legislative process and serve our country as we pursue a more perfect union. Although there may be division within our country today, the future leaders that are interning today have the opportunity to do tremendous things and make a difference in our country.”

Pay Our Interns cofounder, Carlos Mark Vera:

“It was an honor for Pay Our interns to speak to tomorrow’s leaders during the first-ever Internapalooza. We wanted to welcome and remind this incoming class to see beyond the black-and-white of policy proposals and briefing numbers, and keep in mind the people and communities they’re serving. But we also wanted to encourage these new interns to keep pushing for change. We pushed for change when we realized Capitol Hill’s previous model of unpaid internships didn’t work, and that change has helped open up new pathways towards making these internships stronger and better. You have the power to make a difference, and we’re here to work with you.”

Demand Progress Policy Advisor and First Branch Forecast contributor, Taylor J. Swift:

“Congressional internships serve as a pipeline for future work in public service, policymaking, and advocacy. The virtual format of Intern-a-palooza provided an equal opportunity for new and prospective interns from all over the country to interact with and learn from Members of Congress, congressional staffers, and non-profit advocates about the Legislative branch and the lawmaking process. The training, insights, and perspectives delivered during this orientation will help interns maximize their internship opportunities as well as open professional doors to a richly rewarding career in public service.”

Black Women’s Congressional Alliance cofounder Keenan Austin Reed:

“The Black Women’s Congressional Alliance was honored to be a part of what is sure to be the first of many Internapaloozas. The pandemic has robbed many interns of the ability to learn from and observe staffers. It has also challenged the ability to build valuable networks. This initiative came at the perfect time, filling a void for all who care about the continued growth of the First Branch.”

Partnership for Public Service statement:

"The Partnership for Public Service greatly enjoyed the opportunity to speak to incoming and prospective congressional interns at this year's Intern-a-palooza. We believe in the importance of starting any position with a solid understanding of the environment and setting expectations early, which will ultimately lead to a successful internship and career. It was exciting to be part of something that connected people from all over, with a shared vision and emphasis on public service. Whether participants were virtual, in D.C., outside of the Beltway or in their congressional district office, Intern-a-palooza brought us all together. Interns, as our nation's future leaders, inspire us with their commitment to public service. We wish them the best as they continue their professional journey!"

Congressional Management Foundation statement:

“The Congressional Management Foundation was proud to participate in Intern-a-palooza. Congressional interns are a vital component of the institution and the staffers of tomorrow, so it’s essential they are trained properly today. Congratulations to Marci, Anne, and the entire POPVOX team on a fantastic event!”

ABOUT THE POPVOX FOUNDATION

https://www.popvox.org/

The POPVOX Foundation works “to inform and empower people and make government work better for everyone.” This includes reimagining the concept of “civic infrastructure,” and providing new ways for government to share information and engage the public, with an emphasis on diverse participation and rebuilding public trust.

ABOUT THE FIRST BRANCH INTERN PROJECT

https://www.internproject.org/

The First Branch Intern Project began as the “Virtual Intern Project” in April 2020, when several organizations began meeting regularly to discuss supporting Capitol Hill interns during the pandemic. The project has evolved into an ongoing collaboration to provide resources and networking opportunities for Congressional interns and to promote diversity among those applying for and attaining Congressional internships.