With the 2008 Presidential Election right around that corner, Washington, D.C., is a really exciting place to be. But you don’t have to be in Washington for it to be an exciting time. This truly is a historic election: voter turn-out will be higher than ever, and the next president will have to face a plethora of problems and will probably have to fight hard for reelection because in four years, the economy won’t be fixed, the housing market won’t be booming, the Ogallala Aquifer will still be running out of water, and healthcare will probably still be an issue.
There are many ways you can get involved to be a part of this history. You can become active on any of a variety of important issues, like those mentioned above, you can join a campaign (even if it is just volunteering to make phone calls or go door to door), or you can become an election officer and work the polls on election day to help you get involved in your community.
No matter how much or how little time you have, I urge you to, in some way, because involved in this upcoming election because it is history in the making!
History in the Making!
The Value of Internships
While a lot of my friends I graduated college with are still looking for jobs, I am reminded again how important it is to have at least one really, really good internship under your belt.
Where I am currently employed, I first interned for 4 months. Same with my boyfriend, and countless other friends. Actually, everyone I know who graduated with me and is living in Washington, D.C. working in politics and the government, is working where he or she interned. Some of the internships were paid and others were unpaid, but in the end it was a job based on who you know and what you know. If you are put up against someone who looks good on paper, but the company already knows the kind of work you do- even if you don't look as good on paper- you are still more likely to land the job you want.
And to all the recent grads out there who are still looking for a job, don't be afraid to take an 8 or 12 week internship. Just because you aren't in school anymore, doesn't mean you are "overqualified" to be an intern. It just might land you the perfect job you've been looking for all summer.
