Liberal Arts Voices

Read the perspectives of our current students

Ethan Hirsch: An Intern’s Reflections

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As I begin to wrap up my internship inside the beltway at the Council of the Americas, I thought it would be poignant to reflect on my Washington D.C. experience. Not to echo the excellent post by Mr. Glazier, but I truly believe every student interested in the American political process should pursue spending a summer working in DC.

I feel extremely fortunate to have spent my summer as an intern living in DC. During my short stay, I have had the opportunity to visit and attend events at many places I had previously read about only in newspapers, including the Department of State, National Press Club, and the inner sanctum of the Capitol Building. The food is great, the museums and monuments are all free, and you’re more likely to walk past a democratically elected member of the United States Congress on the sidewalk than you’d think. After work, I often find myself reticent to resign to my meager accommodations, preferring to explore the city’s sights or indulge in some cheap ethnic cuisine.

Despite all of this, the most rewarding aspect of my time spent in DC has been the other interns I’ve met. Amongst the executives, ambassadors, and Congressmen that litter Washington DC exists a behind-the-scenes network of students, filling summer internship quotas annually. These students often forgo lucrative opportunities at Fortune 500 companies for a chance to be a part of the massive political machine here in Washington DC. The city shoulders the collective ambition of these college students, which number in the tens of thousands.

Even if traditional politics is not your cup of tea, advocacy organizations tailored to every special interest under the sun have set up shop in Washington, ensuring that their membership’s collective voice is heard in Congress. For the skeptics among LAUS’ readership, even more traditional college staples, such as beer or video games are readily represented inside the Beltway.

During my time here, I’ve met students spanning all walks of life, from “faraway” places such as Arkansas, Kansas, and Hawaii. These students begin their experience as political science, economics, history, and philosophy students, and finish their summer as veritable jack-of-all-trades, armed with the ability to readily shift from receptionists, to letter writers, to excel masters, and beyond. Occasionally, we have congregated at a think-tank briefing or a Congressional hearing, networking and sharing our common experiences and stories on a lark.

A notable example comes from a fellow intern whom I met during my time here in DC, Bill. Bill was transformed from a wide-eyed North Dakotan Senate intern into a tour guide extraordinaire; whisking constituents across the pristine halls of the Capitol Complex’s various buildings, providing interesting facts and historical anecdotes with the wisdom of a seasoned professional. I know this because I had the privilege of taking a tour with him on one of my days-off. His constituents were shocked to hear that this was his 6th week on the job, remarking that they would have guessed he’d been working with the Senator for at least 2 years.

As I pack my bags and look towards my return to campus, I have amassed a sizable rolodex (not a real one, I assure you) of fellow interns with interests and career aspirations that truly run the gamut. I have no doubt that I will be reading about some of my new acquaintances in magazines and newspapers in the coming years.

In closing, I’d like to express an utmost endorsement for the internship experience. I recognize my employer’s patience and humility to take on an inexperienced 20-year-old college student, and I can only express appreciation for their time and guidance.

Another PSU intern checking in from Washington DC

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My name is Ethan Hirsch. I am a rising junior currently on a track to receive a double major in International Politics and Finance, in addition to a Latin American Studies minor.
For the past nine weeks, I have been interning at the Council of the Americas. The Council is a policy organization dedicated to issues in the Western Hemisphere, including (but not limited to) political affairs, trade, energy, and immigration. As I  prepare for an extended study abroad in Sao Paulo, Brazil during the spring semester, I pursued an internship at the Council with the aim of gaining an in-depth perspective on Latin American affairs within the Washington D.C. bubble.
The modern day internship is continually evolving, becoming more coveted every year. What was once an opportunity for rising seniors to experience their future vocation, and possibly gain some footing within the company of their choice, has become a near-requirement for rising sophomores and juniors.  Interns have become an integral part of the economy, as corporations across America plug ambitious youngsters into corporate departments across the office to fulfill unglamorous, yet necessary tasks.
An all-encompassing creed that I’ve followed during my time here at the Council is a “never-say-no” attitude. To put it simply, I have tried to affirm every request made of me, volunteering readily in many cases, regardless of my relative lack-of-qualification, ability, or experience. This has helped me to avoid some of the rote day-to-day aspects of the traditional summer internship, and led to some interesting and unique experiences that I would certainly never have experienced otherwise. 
Prior to an event taking place on Capitol Hill, it was announced that our photographer could not make the event. I’ve never really been much the photographer, but why not? As a “DC local” (at least for the summer), I’ve taken countless pictures for tourist families, managing to fit all of the family members in the shot while incorporating the landmark-in-question! After readily offering my services as photographer, I was given a 2 minute tutorial by the photographer, which essentially consisted of “zoom in/out, point, click, and shoot.” How hard could it possibly be?
Before I knew it, I was given a professional-quality camera, and charged with capturing snapshots of the various V.I.Ps, Congressmen, and attendees. No problem. I began shooting conservatively, incorporating various angles, zooms, and pans. A cinch! Midway through the affair, I took a break to review my first foray into photography. Rather than the professional-quality photos I imagined, the results were horrendous. The shots were dark, out of focus, and generally poor. Immediately I began frantically running across the venue, figuring that by taking as many pictures as possible, I would come up with something useful. By the end of the event, I had nearly used up the entire memory card. 
In all, I was told that of the estimated 400 shots I took, approximately eight were suitable for use. 
Regardless of my futile attempts as a photographer, I urge prospective interns to follow a similar adage. By opening yourself up to any and all experiences, you will begin to find yourself more useful, meet more people around the office, and may even find your true vocational calling.
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