Nikki Budzinski | Illinois in Washington

Working for the People: My Time with Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski

Michael Morrell interned as a Legislative Intern in the office of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. Michael left the program with a clearer sense of purpose and a desire to make a meaningful impact through public service, feeling more confident and prepared for a future career in government or policy.

Being part of the Illinois in Washington (IIW) program was one of the most meaningful chapters of my college journey. I came to D.C. eager to dive deeper into how the government can best work for the people and to make the most of every moment in the city. Between the fast-paced internship, the incredible people I crossed paths with, and the nonstop energy around town, there was always something new to take in. Every day felt like it offered a fresh perspective or lesson, and I found myself constantly learning in and out of the office.

The process of finding the right internship was its own challenge. I tried to keep my approach straightforward, aiming to submit about one application a day. This plan helped me stay focused without getting overwhelmed with having to find an internship. I leaned on both IIW staff and former participants for advice, helping me refine my resume and stay confident when things felt uncertain. Eventually, I found my fit as a Legislative Intern in the office of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, a role that ended up being a really strong match.

In the office, I got a hands-on look at the inner workings of Congress. My responsibilities were filled with policy research across a variety of topics, writing memos and reports that supported the legislative team’s efforts. I also took on constituent correspondence, which really emphasized how central communication and clarity are for our constituents. Reading through real concerns from people back home reminded me why this work matters. On top of all that, I handled more behind-the-scenes tasks: answering phones, sorting through mail, and pitching in wherever I could. It gave me a well-rounded understanding of how everything runs day to day. Even the routine parts of the job helped sharpen my professional instincts and gave me a better sense of how to operate in a fast-moving environment.

Outside of work, living in D.C. was an experience all its own. Whether I was wandering through a museum on a relaxing Sunday or catching a glimpse of the cherry blossoms on my way to work, I never stopped being amazed by the pace and beauty of it all. Exploring it with the other students in the program made it even more rewarding. We navigated the ups and downs of internship life together and built bonds I know will stick with me long after this chapter closes. Our late-night conversations, weekend trips, and even small things like shared meals helped us form a real sense of community.

Looking back, my time in D.C. pushed me to grow in all the right ways, professionally and personally. It helped clarify the kind of impact I want to make and reminded me just how much you can learn when you immerse yourself in a new environment. I left with more confidence, deeper friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m deeply thankful to the IIW program for making this possible, it’s an experience I’ll carry with me for years to come.

More Than a Steppingstone: What I Learned as a Congressional Intern

Sophia Hinich interned at the Congresswoman Budzinski’s office on Capitol Hill. She shares how working in D.C. during election season provided unique insights and helped build confidence, even in moments of self-doubt. She offers heartfelt advice to future interns: explore the city, stay open to unexpected experiences, and remember your worth. Ultimately, the internship was not just a career step, but a time of personal growth and discovery.

It has been both an honor and pleasure to Intern in DC this semester. It feels a bit surreal that my time here has finally come to an end. As cliche as it sounds, time flew by faster than I could keep up with. Election season was definitely a time to be working here. Although this session was perhaps more chaotic than previous years, I was alongside interns who uplifted me, leading us to bond through the hard work. I hope the next class of interns has an equally rewarding time.

Like many other students in this program, I had the chance to intern on capitol hill. I worked in Congresswoman Budzinski office (UIUC’s representative!) which happened more by chance but ended up being exactly the right fit for me. Being a freshman office, there were lots of young staffers working there, one of whom was previously an IIW student himself. Because there’s hardly anyone in the office over the age of 30, it was a perfect balance of work and fun. There also wasn’t that feeling of hierarchy where you feel like you need to earn your respect; it was more of a situation where everyone was fully involved and working together. While I’ll certainly miss my colleagues in the office, I’m equally excited to see where my life leads next.

With that, here are a few words of advice for future IIW classes:

Go explore! For some of you this may be the first time you’ve been to DC. For others, DC may be more familiar. In either case, there is always much to do here. Take a scenic walk home from work instead of the bus one day. Treat yourself to a nice dinner every once in a while. Have a chat with a stranger on the subway. Connect with the Illinois alumni here. Find that work/life balance. You’ll do great.
Expect nothing, experience everything. You may finish this program and feel that you would love to come back and work here someday. Or you may find that this wasn’t everything you dreamed of. If that latter ends up being the case for you, I encourage you to not let that discourage you from making the most of things. There is a lot more value to this experience than using it as a steppingstone to your future career. The professional experience alone and the connections you’ll make will be an asset no matter where you go in life.
Be proud of yourself. The work you do as an intern is as valuable, even if it doesn’t feel like it at times. Never undermine or undersell the effort you put in to get here. I say this because I felt very out of place when I first arrived in DC and I started my job. If that resonates with you then it’s worth reminding yourself that you were carefully picked out of a big pool of applicants; that alone is representative of your talent on some level. All this is to say- imposter syndrome is real (and sometimes it never goes away) so this is a friendly reminder that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.