Emily Huffman participated in the Illinois in Washington program, where she interned in Congressman Bill Foster’s office and gained firsthand experience with legislative research, constituent communication, and policy analysis. The experience clarified her professional interests and inspired her to pursue a career in law focused on in-depth problem solving and individual cases.
When I joined the Illinois in Washington (IIW) program, I came to DC with questions rather than a plan. I wasn’t sure what I wanted my future to look like, only that I was curious about how the government actually worked, from the inside. My main guiding questions, and what I learned, are as follows:
1. What does policymaking actually look like day-to-day?
One of my main goals when coming to DC was to simply learn what policymaking looked like. What I realized was that the day-to-day operations are much less dramatic than they may seem from the outside. In Congressman Bill Foster’s office, it looked like staff researching legislation, drafting memos, attending hearings, and answering constituent questions. Ultimately I learned that most of the real work on The Hill happens quietly and without much media attention.
2. Where do I feel most engaged in this process?
Throughout my time on The Hill, I found that I felt most engaged during moments that required me to slow down and really think through the issues that were sitting on my desk. Whether I was drafting a memo, preparing for a briefing, or responding to a constituent, I was most excited about my work when I was required to really research and understand a topic in order to succeed at whatever task I was completing. I loved diving into the nuance of these seemingly simple ideas and picking them apart for what they really were.
3. What does a government shutdown feel like as an intern on Capitol Hill?
This question came to me halfway through my time in DC, when the government shut down for 43 days. Experiencing a government shutdown firsthand was extremely jarring. Just as I was beginning to feel settled in the office, everything came to an abrupt halt. The radio silence that followed was so frustrating and unsettling, but also surprisingly shifted my experience in a positive way. With the time commitment of work gone, I found myself connecting with the other students in the IIW program on a new level. It helped to know I wasn’t facing the uncertainty alone.
4. What can I learn from the people I am surrounded by everyday?
The people I worked with in DC taught me just as much as my actual internship. By observing staffers and peers, I learned how different personalities and values can shape peoples’ professional paths. Through my coworkers, I also noticed the importance of asking questions and being able to admit that you don’t know something. We are all learning, and being able to admit where you may be falling short is actually a great strength.
5. What do I want to do for a living?
This was the big question that weighed on me throughout my time in DC, and really was the main one I wanted to answer. By the end of the semester, my questions about policy evolved into a clearer understanding of my own interests. I came to realize that while I deeply respect the work of policymaking, I am more drawn to roles that allow for sustained focus on individual cases. This experience helped me recognize that law is where my interests and strengths align most naturally, and affirmed my desire to pursue a career as a lawyer.
IIW gave me the opportunity to learn by doing and to grow by questioning. I came to DC to figure out which direction I wanted my education and future career to head towards, and I am leaving with an answer. Making myself on The Hill wasn’t about choosing a path immediately, rather about being close enough to the work to let that path reveal itself.
Student Blog Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in student blog posts are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Illinois in Washington Program, the University of Illinois, or its staff and affiliates.