Inside the Beltway: My Journey as a Communications Intern on the Hill
Amelia Bell interned in the office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. Assigned to the Press Team, Amelia worked on crafting press releases, managing social media content, and attending interviews between the senator and major news outlets. Looking ahead, the student plans to pursue a career in public service and feels confident in their abilities after this hands-on experience in Washington, D.C. The internship solidified their interest in government work and equipped them with both the professional skills and personal confidence needed for their future career.
I first heard about the Illinois in Washington program during my Political Science Department orientation the summer before Freshman year. After that day, it was a persistent thought in the back of my mind to pursue the program in my Junior year. I ultimately set out to live in D.C. during spring because I wanted to see the cherry blossoms bloom, and Capitol Hill would more often be in session during a non-campaign season. Towards the end of the summer, I began a master spreadsheet with a list of NGOs and personal congressional offices I was interested in, to keep all due dates organized. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s application was due relatively early, so I was lucky to know I secured my internship early in the season. Her work for Illinois is genuinely inspiring, so I was ecstatic to work for her. My biggest issue then became my wardrobe, which lacked professional clothes.
I started my internship a week after the other interns in our office, because their school’s academic calendar differed. It was a wonderful welcome, and they were able to help me through the arduous onboarding process. I was assigned to the Press Team since I am pursuing a minor in Communication. At first, I was disappointed that I was not working on a legislative team – I quickly realized that I loved the creativity and fast pace of press. The team recognized my hard work as the semester continued, so I began receiving bigger assignments. I have had the opportunity to work on press releases and social posts, attend interviews between Senator Duckworth and major news outlets, and handle other substantial assignments. I could not be more grateful for their kindness and support throughout the semester. While not officially on a legislative team, I was honored to attend Senate hearings addressing passion areas, deliver documents to the Cloak Room, and write sign-on memos for Senator Duckworth.
Besides my physical work, my intern coordinator ensured that I was enjoying my internship and achieving the goals I had set for myself. I scheduled many, many coffee chats with people inside and outside my office to learn more about different positions on the Hill. The other interns in my office were also wonderful, and we all became great friends. On one of our days off, we even attended oral arguments at the Supreme Court! Overall, my experience in Senator Duckworth’s office was absolutely unforgettable.
When I return to Champaign in the Fall, I will carry with me the work and life experiences from my time in D.C. In addition to work, the IIW cohort was an unexpected plus of the semester. Exploring the city and going to all of the (free) tourist attractions together allowed me to build strong friendships and get the most out of my short few months. While draining, this semester will be one of the highlights of my college career. I cannot recommend the program more to anyone interested. I am excited to begin my career after graduation and am confident in my abilities to succeed in public service.
