Purely Advice
If you’re on time, you’re late. Read
legislation; understand policy- be able to explain it to others. Nothing is
private, nothing; anything you access on government computers become government
property. *Facebook, Gmail, Twitter. Do not name the office you work for
if your activities are not office related. *Sports broadcaster. Beer
attracts slugs. Make everyone feel like the most important person in the room.
Work the extra hours. Know the lobbyists. It’s not your job to get people
coffee. *Can I get you a coffee? Dress to impress. Pack your own lunch;
use reusable bags. Be genuine. *How are missile batteries designed? Take
extensive notes; grab all handouts; report back immediately. Dressing like to
make people think you’re republican. Get a library card. Sight see! Befriend
the family. Be organized and help organize others. Sign up for Groupon. Don’t
use your real name if it’s not necessary. *Hi, I’m Blair Abbott. Smile.
Don’t be scared to push the boundaries.
Trust a few, do wrong to no one. If
you don’t feel safe, move. *510 C Street. It’s good to hear no. Smile. *Yes.
If you hear yes right away, you probably shot too low. Everyone already knows;
this city is like a giant high school. People will confuse friendliness for
flirting. When you do hear no, make sure to get more feedback and listen
closely to the reasoning. Be assertive, not aggressive. *Stay on for the
summer? Build an action plan for the future. Make good connections.
Everyone appreciates cookies. *Funfetti. If your badge doesn’t get you
in somewhere, most often, confidence will. *Embassy Row. Know your
constitutions. Work harder than you’ve ever worked before. *Yes, I’m a born
and raised Alaskan. Meet with constituents. Don’t tell anyone your real age
unless they ask; everyone’s an ageist. Befriend the best man. *I met your
staff assistant.
Try new things. Frog is delicious,
sake isn’t. Don’t live life with a knife and fork, crunch down on the bone. Get
on the list. Never pay for your own lunch. *Did you RSVP for that reception?
Network. Be interested in everything. Run, faster! You don’t need music to
dance. “Up-and-coming” is a synonym for ghetto. *H-Street. A sharpie and
paper clip can maneuver out a cork. Read more legislation. You don’t have time
for sleep. Don’t bring a camera if you want a successful political career.
There’s always more to the story. Try the window; bring a hair tie. Don’t binge
drink. Don’t date police officers. *Hello Officer. Political science
should be renamed political magic; sciences should have concrete answers. It’s
not about what you know- it’s about who you know. The White House is worth the
extensive process.
Do not stand on the base when preparing to swing; listen
to your base coach. If he says he works for CATO or the Heritage Foundation…
just walk away. Ignorance is never bliss. Fireworks look best from the Capitol
balcony; use your badge. Time is money. It’s important to fight for what you’re
worth. No cause that is worthwhile is ever easy. Bring a charger. The best way
to connect with someone is to find their human element. Fake it until you make
it. Face the individual, not their job title. People remember. No one is here
for the money, but that doesn’t mean you should ever sell yourself short. “No”
is not an option. Find a way, or make one. *Chelsea, what are you doing
after graduation? Get as much experience as possible.
