Interested in making connections and enhancing your writing skills on Capitol Hill? Please join POPVOX Foundation and the Capitol Hill Intern Association for a conversation about how to effectively write quality deliverables and navigate the unique professional landscape of Capitol Hill. During this session, our experienced panelists will share their knowledge and expertise on topics such as:
Crafting compelling and concise messages to capture the attention of busy staffers
Proper communication channels and protocols for reaching out to congressional offices
Networking etiquette and building rapport with key individuals
Best practices for following up and maintaining relationships
Whether you're a seasoned intern or new to the world of political networking, this event will equip you with the tools and confidence to make meaningful connections and advance your career goals on Capitol Hill.
The event is hosted by POPVOX Foundation in collaboration with the Capitol Hill Intern Association.
Panelists
Taylor J. Swift is the Deputy Director of Governance & Innovation for POPVOX Foundation. Taylor's passion for better working conditions and pay for Congressional staffers, stronger federal workforce pipelines, and greater public access to legislative information has led him to become Deputy Director of Governance and Innovation at POPVOX Foundation. Prior to joining POPVOX Foundation, Taylor was a senior policy advisor at Demand Progress, focusing on Congressional transparency, efficiency, capacity, and modernization. Taylor also worked at the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus where he focused on budget, appropriations, education, labor, environmental, and tax policy. During his tenure at the Caucus, Taylor worked closely with the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to elevate the importance of increasing Congressional staff pay, retention, and diversity. Taylor graduated with his master’s degree from The University of Akron, working as a teaching assistant for the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. When Taylor isn't working, he enjoys hosting movie parties at the DC Alamo Drafthouse and biking around the nation's capital.
Christine Ho is Rep. Pete Aguilar’s Deputy Communications Director. Previously, she was Rep. Salud Carbajal’s Digital Director. She is always eager to meet new colleagues and friends, and enjoys doing yoga and reading in her free time.
Jake Silverman is a Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Nikema Williams handling Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Homeland Security issues. He has spent nearly 4 years on the Hill, and before that worked in campaigns and taught debating in China. His work primarily focuses on voting rights, and spends most of his out of work playing softball or bar trivia.
Gabi Ghandour is a Syrian American staffer, originally from West Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech University and moved to D.C. two years ago to start a career in foreign policy. She works for Congressman John James as his legislative aide. Alongside working on the Hill, she is a musician interested in bridging Arabic and Western sounds and storytelling in her songs.
Additional Resources
Stay up to date with the Capitol Hill Intern Update, a free weekly newsletter, specifically for interns, focused on understanding Congress, staying up-to-date on Congressional events, and sharing resources for career opportunities after an internship.
