Q: What is your favorite memory from your time at the NACDD?
Bethany: Getting to go to hearings on the Hill and getting to tour the White House!
Mia: I had the opportunity to attend a House markup and a Senate hearing on the same day. It was so incredible to watch Senators and Representatives who I had only ever seen on my TV screen in real life. It was also so fascinating to witness a side of the policymaking process which is much less sensationalized. Given how divisive politics can be, I thought it was interesting to watch Senators from different parties work together on the same committees for common goals. (I also ran into Elizabeth Warren outside of the elevator, so that was pretty cool too.)
Q: What is your favorite memory from class?
Bethany: Though we went to so many amazing places the things I’ll remember the most from class is the lunches in between events when we would all just sit together, talk and laugh!
Mia: Although this wasn’t technically an official class event, attending a campaign event for Kamala Harris at the Ellipse just days before the election was one memory I am absolutely never going to forget from my time in DC. It was so incredible to be among so many people united for a common goal, and to witness history as the first Black, female candidate of a major political party wrapped up her campaign. It was one of many moments in DC where I was so grateful to be part of something so much bigger than myself.
Q: What was your favorite place to go outside of work hours?
Bethany: Different restaurants, I tried so many new foods in DC and everything was so delicious, it really expanded my palette!
Mia: The National Gallery of Art. I love museums, and I am a huge art history nerd, so it was so incredible to be just minutes away from some of the most famous paintings in the world. One of the most incredible parts of DC, in my opinion, is just how many museums there are, and how much culture and information is available for free.
Q: How has this experience affected your long-term career goals? Where are you going from here?
Bethany: Being in DC, I have fallen in love with it and though my career goals haven’t changed much, the location of my job has. I strive to one day make it back here for good. This experience has also given me so many new opportunities and next semester I will be interning in Albany for the New York State Assembly Internship Program!
Mia: This experience has absolutely solidified my goal to become an attorney, and it has also diversified my career options. Though I am still undecided as to what field of law I am going to enter, I have expanded my notions of what careers are open to me. Through my experiences in class and my internship, I have become interested in jobs such as working as legislative counsel for a Senate committee or a policy analyst for a think tank. From here, I am planning to take the LSAT in the spring and start applying to law schools soon after, and I hope to have a few internships in regional offices throughout the rest of my time in college.
Q: If you could give one message to yourself the day you arrived in Washington, what would you say?
Bethany: This is the first day of a new life, you’ll meet so many amazing people, make lifelong friends, see so many incredible things, fall in love with DC, grow, and learn so much about yourself and who you want to be. Being here was the best decision you have ever made and I’m so proud of you!
Mia: You made the right choice to come here, so just focus your energy on enjoying everything available to you.