Using Your School’s Alumni Base

If you are looking for a job in Washington or even if you are simply new to the city and looking to make some professional connections, your school’s alumni base can be an excellent resource for networking.

Alumni networks exist primarily to build connections between former students no matter how far away from their alma mater they settle. Most large universities have alumni chapters in the D.C. area. A quick check with your school’s alumni office can help direct you to the closest chapter. You can also search for contacts of active chapter officers on the Capital Alumni Network Website at: www.dcalum.org.

Alumni chapters are not just limited to colleges and universities. Fraternities, sororities and academic honoraries also have strong alumni networks. These chapters can usually be found on the organization’s national website. Make sure to investigate all avenues for networking while you are in DC.

Here are a few ways alumni chapters can be helpful:

• Getting to Know D.C. – Moving to a new place (especially one as large as the nation’s capital) can be overwhelming. Alumni networks can be a great resource for getting to know a city. Who better to share recommendations on good neighborhoods to live in, restaurants to try or fun weekend adventures than a local?
• Networking Opportunities – In DC it’s not just what you know, but who you know! Whether it is a gathering to watch a sporting event, a planned activity or a happy hour, Alumni Chapters offer a wide variety of events that can help you connect to a large pool of working professionals. Meeting other professionals who share a common bond can come in handy if you are looking for job or career advice.
• Finding a Mentor – Did you meet a fellow alum at a networking event whose career path you admire? Don’t be afraid to ask for another opportunity to sit down and pick their brain. A one-on-one meeting or even a simple email exchange gives you the chance to ask the questions that you may not have had time for initially.
• Job Boards and Online Databases – Many employers would love to hire graduates from their alma mater. Find out if your school’s alumni office offers access to an online job board where alums can post job opportunities.

Welcome Spring 2012 Interns!

It’s a new year and a new semester full of possibilities for our interns just arriving in Washington! On January 11^th, 41 students arrived on Capitol Hill to begin internships, courses and special events designed to give them the experience of a lifetime.

The Capital Semester Spring 2012 class is a diverse group of students representing twelve countries—the United States, Indonesia, El Salvador, China, Spain, Myanmar, Vietnam, Egypt, Australia, Yemen, India and Portugal.

The new interns have been orientated to their new city through briefings and tours at the World Bank, Library of Congress and the US Capitol. They also found time for some fun by enjoying ice skating at the National Gallery of Art’s outside Sculpture Garden.

Students were welcomed to Washington by former DC intern and program participant Jordan Cook. While in DC during the spring of 2010, she interned with Koch Companies, Public Sector, LLC. Jordan is currently a staff assistant to Rep. Tim Griffin of Arkansas. She offered the new interns great words of advice on how to make the most of their experience in Washington.

“Whatever is thrown at you, do it joyfully. DC internships are competitive, and you’re lucky to be here. So, whether you’re stuffing folders, making copies, analyzing data, summarizing briefs, drafting multiple memos on the effect of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards on southeast Wisconsin— all of these are things I did, by the way— do it well, to its upmost completion, and have a good attitude about it.”

Cook also emphasized the importance of “noticing detail.” Congressman Griffin emphasized to his entire staff, “Detail is what makes the difference. It is what separates the good workers— the pleasant, the non-offensive, the just fine workers— from the great ones.”

Stay tuned for updates from this spring’s DC interns!

Elections 2012: A Golden Opportunity to Gain Valuable Experience

You might not know it from reading or watching the news, but the battle for the Presidency is NOT the only decision voters will face in November.

Voters will decide the fate of all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 13 seats in the U.S. Senate, 13 Governorships, and innumerable state and county seats. If you’re looking to gain real-world experience you can add to your resume or portfolio, consider volunteering on the campaign of a candidate of your liking.

Real Skills Equal Real Responsibility

If you volunteer for a campaign or are lucky enough to get a paid position, chances are you’ll have to do more than your fair share of knocking on doors, putting up signs, passing out literature, cold calling voters or making airport runs to pick up donors or campaign big wigs. But don’t despair!

Chances are you have skills that the campaign needs:

• Social Media – In the age of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter knowing just a little bit can go a long way.  Many candidates know they need to use social media, but don’t always know how to effectively use it.  Convince a campaign higher up that you know what you’re doing and you could really have an impact on the campaign.
• Mobilize – Many college students are very adept at quickly mobilizing their friends to act. If you can demonstrate to campaign leaders that you have the ability to get people to      an event or to volunteer for the campaign – you will get noticed.
• Data – Can you maneuver your way around a spreadsheet? Do you know how to organize and manipulate data? If so, a smart campaign will certainly put you to work.  Press contacts, donor lists, poll results, and voter registration drives are all data driven components of a successful campaign. A campaign that doesn’t  have a lot of money to hire expensive consultants would really appreciate this skill set.
• Fundraising – Have you raised substantial money for your sorority, fraternity, or other school organization? Some people have a real talent for convincing people to open up their wallet or checkbook.  If you’re such a person – you could end up being a candidate’s best friend and getting a job offer after they win in November.
• Public Speaking and Media Relations – Can you give an effective pitch for your candidate when you knock on a voter’s door? Can you deliver a concise and cogent message to a reporter? Are you able to stand up in a room full of strangers and give an unforgettable 60-second speech? Demonstrate these skills to a campaign and you will certainly be asked to join their team.

Energy Everyone!

A campaign cannot survive without this key ingredient.  Young people bring energy to a campaign – plain and simple. If you have none of the skills listed above, but are a positive person who is excited to be involved and willing to put your heart and soul into a campaign, then you could be an extremely valuable asset. “Being a part of a campaign is energizing,” said Stacie Allen, Coordinator of TFAS Institute on Business and Government Affairs and Legal Studies Institute. Allen served as the deputy campaign manager for a Virginia State Delegate race in 2009. “To see your teamwork pay off makes you feel like you made a difference,” added Allen.

Sell Yourself & Stick to it

When you first go to a campaign headquarters, treat this encounter as a job interview. You want to make a great first impression. Be prepared to tell the person you are meeting with how many hours a week you are available. If the campaign brings you on board, make sure you work the hours you said you would.  A dependable campaign worker is a valuable campaign worker, and valuable campaign workers are normally given greater opportunities along the way. If your candidate wins and he or she needs to hire staff, your hard work and dedication will really pay off.

DC Neighborhood Spotlight: 14th Street/Logan Circle

As little as a decade ago Logan Circle was not considered an up and coming neighborhood. The area is now considered the third most desirable housing market in the nation. Retail options continue to break into the neighborhood starting with a Whole Foods and Vida Fitness. Vida provides special rates for students during the summer. It offers luxurious amenities to its clients and is known for pampering customers.

The area is continuing to grow at a rapid pace with its newest restaurant addition Tortilla Coast. Tortilla Coast’s Capitol Hill location is well known as the intern spot. It offers great happy hour rates on food and drink. The new spot is sure to attract interns from across the city for margaritas and great Mexican food.

Happy Hour is a must in Washington D.C. and Logan Circle offers a number of options. Church Key on 14^th offers an extensive beer selection and is rumored to have delicious Mac ‘N’ Cheese Sticks.

Every great neighborhood has to have a late night eatery. While there are many options throughout the city, Manny and Olga’s on 14^th is sure to satisfy that late night craving. They offer a variety of pizza, sandwiches and other options into the wee hours of the morning.

Logan Circle offers something for everyone. These are just a few places around the neighborhood that are sure to please your social desires!

To experience learn about ways to D.C. first hand visit www.DCinternships.org.

Setting New Year’s Resolutions – Not just about eating less chocolate

New Year’s is a time for making resolutions. While they often center around eating healthier, going to the gym, or committing to save more money, it is equally important to spend some time thinking about what professional goals you have for the coming year. Making a plan early in the New Year will allow you to periodically review your progress.

Here are a few ideas of areas to focus on:

Internship Applications

The first step to landing a great internship, is submitting an application on time (or better yet, ahead of time). Do your research early. Make a detailed list of all of the organizations or internship programs in which you are interested. Take note of application procedures and deadlines. Referring to this list often will help ensure that you don’t miss an opportunity because of a past deadline or forgotten writing sample.

Decide which internship or study abroad programs you will pursue. Remember, you can’t do everything in one summer. Talk to your parents, professors and mentors about which experiences will benefit you most and help you to achieve your long-term career goals. Narrowing your focus early will help you make a commitment when the time comes.

Networking

Taking advantage of networking opportunities is important no matter what stage of your career you are in. It is especially key when you are internship or job searching. Set a goal of how many events or receptions you will plan to attend throughout the year. Keep an eye out for chances to meet with professionals in the field in which you are interested. Such events can range from formal receptions to alumni career panels at your university.

Don’t be afraid to talk to people. It only gets easier with practice. If there’s an event you’re interested in, bring a friend along. Having a mingling partner will make it easier to start conversations with new connections. Ask for business cards when possible and be sure to follow up within the next couple of days.

Staying in Touch

Maintaining a professional contact list is a must. Staying in regular contact with these people is even more important. You don’t want to make a nuisance of yourself with too frequent emails or calls to former supervisors, professors and colleagues, but by giving these people an occasional update on your latest internships, activities and projects, you’ll stay fresh in their minds. When an opportunity that matches your interests and skills comes along, you’ll be one of the first people they think of.

Track your communications on your contact list. This will help make sure you are staying in regular touch without over doing it. Also, keep notes of topics to cover in your email updates.  You’ll be better equipped when it’s time to draft your correspondence.

Good preparation makes all challenges in life easier to meet. By creating a professional plan of action now, you will start the year off on the right foot and put yourself on the road toward achieving your career goals.

Hears to sticking to resolutions in 2012 – Happy New Year!