Congress & Campaigns

Working for an elected representative, at the local, state or federal level, is a great way to learn more about policy and politics. The offices are overworked and understaffed, so volunteers and interns are greatly appreciated and can contribute meaningfully. It’s a great way to demonstrate your desire to affect change and get some on-the-ground experience! It’s fast-paced and good oral and written communication skills are a must.

Congress

The Hill is a really popular internship and post-grad destination and it’s very doable! The important thing to understand is there is no one application process. There are (at least) 535…so, you have to be strategic and knowledgeable. It helps to be a constituent, but it’s not required. Here are a few other general distinctions that are helpful to scoping your search.

“Hill experience is like credit – it takes some to get some.”

WashU alum and Senate Committee staffer
  • House vs. Senate. We’ve heard it said that the House is like a fraternity and the Senate is like a country club. There are 435 House members. They tend to be younger, their staffs are smaller and as a result, they are spread more thin. The decorum in the Senate is more august, congenial and experienced. Also, every office is different. The member really sets the tone. They choose how their staff is organized. For some, it’s a well-oiled machine. For others, it’s…not.
  • Personal staff vs. committee. There are positions in both places. Students with an interest in foreign policy or healthcare may prefer to work in a place where they can focus more substantively on these issues. Committee staffs tend to be more experienced (often coming through personal staff) and the hiring process is determined by the ranking member of the committee. So, when party control shifts, so too does committee leadership.
  • District vs. Hill office. Each representative has an office in their district as well as their DC office. Senators often have offices throughout their state. There are jobs in these local offices and they often afford more opportunities for casework and constituent interaction. Being on the Hill is fun, but you’re likely to be given more responsibility in the District office!

Here are some more resources to get you smart on the dynamics and range of opportunities:

  • Working in the Legislative Branch – start here! This is a great primer on the Legislative Branch from the Partnership for Public Service
  • Job titles on the Hill with Sample Job Descriptions from the Congressional Management Foundation. Super helpful in understanding the various positions in a congressional office
  • Legistorm is a resource used by Hill staffers; not all content is free, but you can see a lot of Hill-based headlines and insights into specific offices
  • Congressional Staff Associations – these are a great venue to identify and connect with like-minded staffers, some of whom may be across the aisle!
  • DomeWatch – this gives you up-to-the minute action on the House floor!

Campaigns

Finding work on a campaign is less about applying and more about showing up, pitching in and demonstrating your commitment to the cause. So figure out which candidate you like, or what ballot issue motivates you, and make a difference!

Campaigns really are all the same, the difference is just the size and scope. A state rep needs communications, fundraisers, field work and policy advisors just like a presidential campaign does. Working at a more local level is likely to give you more opportunities to interact directly with the candidate and observe and contribute to the wide range of tasks.

  • WashU Votes – The Gephardt Institute is a MUST if you are interested in civic engagement!
  • Become a poll worker! The methods to do so vary by city and county, but you know who knows how to do this? The Gephardt Institute!
  • WashU College Democrats and College Republicans – great way to associate with like-minded peers and engage on local and national issues
  • Ballot initiatives – collecting signatures and advocating for issues that you’re passionate about is a great way to show up and make a difference

These come and go, so do some digging to find the most timely talent banks. But you can start here:

The various campaign committees are a frequent destination for internships and jobs.

If there’s a specific candidate or campaign that interests you, go directly to their website and sign up to volunteer! Then, show up and add value.