DISCLAIMER: As predicted, my productivity here has seriously declined since I started work. Apologies for that. Genuinely. I feel a strange kind of obligation to record this experience, given that so many people applied and were not lucky enough to have been awarded this chance. So, here’s a temporary return to productivity and a frantic update on the last week.
Washington (Days 11, 12, 13 & 14) My Work Life
I arrived painfully early. We were advised not to be too early and look like a big freak stalking the office, a half hour before it opens. That was me! So, dress code one, sweating like a pig, and shaking in my boots with nerves, I arrived early, met my supervisor and began the orientation process. I undertook a Scavenger Hunt of Capitol Hill (which was a strange experience), in order to find the places that I’d need to complete the placement. I was also trained in using all the techie stuff, and how the office works.
The work itself is interesting. Part of the agreement I made with my employers is that I maintain a high level of confidentiality relating to all the events, policies and discussions of the office. Unfortunately, this includes the work I do which means that I can only speak about the office in very broad strokes.
As I expected an Intern is about as low a rank as possible in an office. I’ve interned in the past, and it’s a hard role. It’s a large proportion of administrative work, as well as dealing with constituent queries, giving tours of Capitol Hill, attending hearings on the hill and assisting the legislative staff.
It is very interesting to see how a Senate office works and I’m slowly learning the norms and procedures for the office as well as the Senate. I’m still in complete awe that I get to go sit in the staff gallery of the Senate, although it’s frequently a fine line between awe and feeling completely overwhelmed. I’m a young graduate from the bogs of Kildare and I get to sit in the Senate Gallery? How mad is that!
