Anyone in government?

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by GreyFlannelMan

I'd say it's fairly difficult. I don know someone I worked with who started out where I did and eventually became the member's Chief of Staff and then became chief of staff of the committee my boss chaired.

Frankly, most people don't aspire to that; they are there to get experience and then to move on. Plus, you've got to deal with the prospect that your boss may be voted out of office (it can happen), or chooses to run for other office, or retires.

Well, that's my goal. Learning the legislative process seems to be a very crucial step on the path towards lobbying/consulting in Washington.

What other jobs (realted to government) do former Hill interns/staff go into?

 

[GreyFlannelMan]

Originally Posted by Connemara

Well, that's my goal. Learning the legislative process seems to be a very crucial step on the path towards lobbying/consulting in Washington.

What other jobs (realted to government) do former Hill interns/staff go into?

You may be interested in the M.A. in Legislative Affairs at George Washington. It's a good program. Regardless, one will learn the leg process in his first year there, whether one is an LA or not. One tends to absorb what's going on around him.

Many, like me, for example, end up going to law school. Whether or not they practice law is another issue entirely. Some, particularly those on the press side, go into PR or Public Affairs, where they can make much more money. Others become completely disenchanted with the system and do something entirely different with their lives.


I forgot to ask: are you young? If so, a great way to get your start is to intern in an office.

 

[Augusto86]

What about work in the FBI/CIA? I'm learning Arabic in school now, plan to study in Egypt, and I hear that they jump on anyone who knows Arabic these days. Anyone have non-classified experience/hearsay from friends they'd like to share??

 

[rdawson808]

Here is one aspect of working on the Hill that I find interesting. This is from the current Senate employment bulletin (edited for length):

---------------
NATURAL RESOURCES LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT - ...opening for an experienced Natural Resources Legislative Assistant. Primary responsibility is to create and execute a long-term and far-reaching Natural Resources agenda that is focused on results. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: creating and tracking legislation affecting all aspects of land and water rights, use, and access issues, energy production and conservation, Brownfields, Historic Preservation, and forestry.... Qualified candidates should have a J.D. and solid background in environmental policy, including knowledge of western land, water, and energy issues...
----------------

What is the fascination with lawyers? I have a PhD in environmental economics and I am, according to this, underqualified. But some schmo with a JD (no offense to those that have them--I've always wanted to study the law myself) has an immediate leg-up. And the answer cannot simply be a familiarity with the law--I, at one point or another, have known the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA, CERCLA, American Fisheries Act, Magnusen-Stevens Act, and others at at least a rudimentary level and some at a very in-depth level. Any legit explanations?

bob

 

[rdawson808]

Originally Posted by Augusto86

What about work in the FBI/CIA? I'm learning Arabic in school now, plan to study in Egypt, and I hear that they jump on anyone who knows Arabic these days. Anyone have non-classified experience/hearsay from friends they'd like to share??
I don't know what it is like these days, and this is only one story, but I had a colleague a number of years back (immediately post 9/11) who was an expert in Islam and so knew many many people who spoke Arabic. He said that many of his colleageus in the field could not get jobs in the fed gov't because they had spent so much time abroad in Arabic countries not generally considered friendly to the US, which is where they earned their fluency, of course. Could just be stories for all I know, but it is what I heard once. Take it for what it's worth. bob edit for grammar.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

Here is one aspect of working on the Hill that I find interesting. This is from the current Senate employment bulletin (edited for length):

---------------
NATURAL RESOURCES LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT - ...opening for an experienced Natural Resources Legislative Assistant. Primary responsibility is to create and execute a long-term and far-reaching Natural Resources agenda that is focused on results. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: creating and tracking legislation affecting all aspects of land and water rights, use, and access issues, energy production and conservation, Brownfields, Historic Preservation, and forestry.... Qualified candidates should have a J.D. and solid background in environmental policy, including knowledge of western land, water, and energy issues...
----------------

What is the fascination with lawyers? I have a PhD in environmental economics and I am, according to this, underqualified. But some schmo with a JD (no offense to those that have them--I've always wanted to study the law myself) has an immediate leg-up. And the answer cannot simply be a familiarity with the law--I, at one point or another, have known the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA, CERCLA, American Fisheries Act, Magnusen-Stevens Act, and others at at least a rudimentary level and some at a very in-depth level. Any legit explanations?

bob

because the last guy who had the job was a lawyer. I call this - my last sales manager was a redhead who played the obo, so I am only looking to recruit a redhaired obo player now syndrome. you can still apply, bob. you never know.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by Augusto86

What about work in the FBI/CIA? I'm learning Arabic in school now, plan to study in Egypt, and I hear that they jump on anyone who knows Arabic these days. Anyone have non-classified experience/hearsay from friends they'd like to share??

there are so few people who speak arabic in the US (who are not imigrants) that there is huge demand. I think that studying in Egypt is a great idea. it will also give you a fantastic look at another culture. I think that you will open doors at the CIA/FBI, as well as many other parts of the government. one thing that you do want to watch - be careful who you hand out with while you are there, you don't want to screw up your security clearance.

 

[Mr. Checks]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

Here is one aspect of working on the Hill that I find interesting. This is from the current Senate employment bulletin (edited for length):

---------------
NATURAL RESOURCES LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT - ...opening for an experienced Natural Resources Legislative Assistant. Primary responsibility is to create and execute a long-term and far-reaching Natural Resources agenda that is focused on results. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: creating and tracking legislation affecting all aspects of land and water rights, use, and access issues, energy production and conservation, Brownfields, Historic Preservation, and forestry.... Qualified candidates should have a J.D. and solid background in environmental policy, including knowledge of western land, water, and energy issues...
----------------

What is the fascination with lawyers? I have a PhD in environmental economics and I am, according to this, underqualified. But some schmo with a JD (no offense to those that have them--I've always wanted to study the law myself) has an immediate leg-up. And the answer cannot simply be a familiarity with the law--I, at one point or another, have known the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA, CERCLA, American Fisheries Act, Magnusen-Stevens Act, and others at at least a rudimentary level and some at a very in-depth level. Any legit explanations?

bob

They rarely get applications from PhDs, so it's not on the radar, but I'd think that you would be considered very well-qualified by anyone who looks at a million resumes a month (like me). The committee staff would have PhDs on it, less so with member offices.

 

[rdawson808]

Interesting stuff GT and Checks. I don't actually want this job (and if I did wouldn't feel the least bit worried about applying) but it's not the first time I've seen/heard this. Again, calling up memories of my friends on the hill and what they've had to say, I've heard many times that not only was the JD prefered (say to a MA/MS) but the offices automatically paid more for the JD. Of course that could just be those one or two offices, and I know that some of that has to do with the candidate's other opportunities (hey, I'm no dummie economist, it's why I make more than my colleagues in french lit). But it just always makes me wonder. I particularly like your explanatin GT. Red-headed oboe player indeed.

bob

 

[Mr. Checks]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

Interesting stuff GT and Checks. I don't actually want this job (and if I did wouldn't feel the least bit worried about applying) but it's not the first time I've seen/heard this. Again, calling up memories of my friends on the hill and what they've had to say, I've heard many times that not only was the JD prefered (say to a MA/MS) but the offices automatically paid more for the JD. Of course that could just be those one or two offices, and I know that some of that has to do with the candidate's other opportunities (hey, I'm no dummie economist, it's why I make more than my colleagues in french lit). But it just always makes me wonder. I particularly like your explanatin GT. Red-headed oboe player indeed.

bob

My favorite recent ad was for a senior VP lobbyist. It also said "Excel a plus" so I think a lot of those "qualifications/preferences" are nonsense that can be ignored.