Reflecting on Internapalooza Summer ‘23
Internapalooza Summer 2023 was a success! On June 8, POPVOX Foundation and the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project welcomed over four hundred congressional interns to a new adventure on Capitol Hill. The event — held in collaboration with the Committee on House Administration — is designed to help incoming Hill interns prepare for their internship and a future career in government. As an intern with POPVOX Foundation, I know that the lessons each participant walked away with are incredibly valuable. From networking tips to email etiquette, they learned how to make the most of their time on the Hill and turn their internships into careers.
Internapalooza participants heard from twenty-one speakers including current and former Congressional staff, former Congressional interns, and subject-matter experts on Congress. Though varied in their experiences, each talk came with a central theme: You Belong In Congress. Members of Gen Z rarely see themselves represented in the federal government. Until recently, I never imagined that I would play a part, certainly not as a teenager, in shaping it. A majority of Hill interns are young people, and we are an influential and necessary part of the team. We share fresh ideas and new ways of thinking that are invaluable to modernizing and improving our government. Not only do we belong, but we are needed!
Keynote speaker Saat Alety from Federal Hall Policy Advisors gave eight tips for an impactful internship. Tips that ranged from “keep an open mind on new, unexpected opportunities” to “network” with peers” inspired participants not only to strive to reach the top – like becoming a senior staffer – but to imagine new definitions of success, like becoming early friends with peers that will become tomorrow’s leaders or thriving in a policy area that had yet to be considered as a career path. An underrated part of interning is redefining success. For me, landing an internship was a success. Now, it is a stepping stone for even bigger goals. At this stage, success to me is learning – taking work experience and my education together to build a comprehensive understanding of our federal government. As I gain this understanding, my success will be redefined again!
Nicole Tisdale, Founder of Advocacy Blueprints, opened with a memorable story of belonging, setting the tone and easing nerves for participants. She spoke of wearing her colorful, eye-catching Jordan sneakers while working at the White House. Embracing individuality (and comfort) is key! Particularly as a young person, the desire to fit in can be overpowering. Wanting to “act like the adults” is a natural instinct. However, our fresh faces come with fresh ideas. Wanting to fit in can detract from our unique perspectives as outsiders and young people. We can follow the rules while reimaging Congress.
Equally important is the ability to work through polarization to achieve bipartisanship, as Maddie McCarthy from Prolegis explained. She gave advice on reaching across the aisle — and adds that some of her best friendships in DC have been with those of contrasting beliefs. Justis Antonioli from the Bipartisan Policy Center rounded out our look at the basics, describing the intern experience itself. Figuring out passions, making connections, and pushing to do more are all part of the job, Antonioli said.
Bisher Martini and Ananda Bhatia of the Capitol Hill Intern Association and Modernization Staff Association, respectively, introduced some of the many resources available to interns in their time on the Hill, including the return of their joint mentorship program for congressional interns. Haley Wint from the office of Representative Lauren Underwood tied together the theme of belonging nicely through lessons on self-advocacy and combatting imposter syndrome. And to help interns make the most of their time in the District, DaQuawn Bruce of College to Congress shared “Fun Things to Do in DC”.
For all of those who will be working with the new intern class, you can rest assured that Internapalooza laid the groundwork for star-quality interns. Bradford Fitch of the Congressional Management Foundation left a powerful mark when saying “You’re not just an intern – you’re a congressional intern.” Wise words for the Capitol’s newest inhabitants! I know all too well how a congressional internship is a dream for many – but it is easy to lose sight of the significance of the job once it begins. Dr. Maya Kornberg, author of “Inside Congressional Committees: Function and Dysfunction in the Legislative Process,” gave an introduction to the committees that interns will soon be interacting with. Taylor J. Swift of Demand Progress was a fan-favorite, not only for his celebrity name but his engaging talk on the basics of writing a professional email. With a strong sense of what to do and what not to do, this class of interns may be the best yet!
POPVOX Foundation knows that this promising new class sees their internships as only the beginning. When I first joined the Foundation, one of the first questions I was asked was “What do you hope to get out of this experience?” The answer (learn about casework and technology, improve my writing, strengthen my understanding of policy) boiled down to one goal: prepare for what is next. Through this internship, I am now equipped with tools to both discover and go after my future, an experience everyone should have early-on in their career.
Itay Balely, Director of Training for The Victory Institute, gave an introduction to what it means to be the politician yourself — and how to start that process. I recall the first time someone told me to run for office, after a speech I gave at a local rally. I was baffled by this idea, I was not even old enough to vote at the time. Then I began to see young people not only run, but win. From city council to Congress, I saw representation everywhere as a beacon of inspiration for my own political goals. Representation reemerged at Internapalooza not only in the many young speakers, but in the crowd of aspiring future leaders.
Tim Stretton of the Project on Government Oversight instilled wisdom about being a self-advocacy champion, and taking opportunities into his own hands during his time as an intern. He made clear that to turn an internship into a career, it is up to you to do so — so get busy! Tom Manatos, founder of Tom Manatos Jobs, presented eleven job hunt tips and the Honorable Jane L. Campbell, CEO of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, touched on earning a stellar reference. Like many interns, I have no clue what I may do next, just goals and interests. Oftentimes there is no perfect dream job, especially early in a career. Not to mention the challenges of breaking into an ever-competitive job market. All I can do is put my best foot forward and apply with the practices I learned at Internapalooza. Showing up on day one ready to work is vital, and Internapalooza provided the skills to do just that. Participants know how to be quality interns, and now we are prepared to go out into the world and secure our next job too!
We are incredibly grateful for all of our speakers and support staff who made this event possible. New friendships and ideas formed in the audience, and it was incredibly clear that by the time they left, this class of interns would one day run the Hill. Whatever they do next, they will do so as experienced leaders and team players. Interns, as you go forward this summer, remember that the work you do is important, you are capable of doing it, and you belong in Congress.
