Year: Senior
Major: Communication
Lauren Stanford has some big dreams in mind—and she’s well on her way to achieving them. Since the beginning of fall semester, Lauren has been interning on Capitol Hill, a dream for anyone interested in working for the government. She wants to continue on this path after graduation and will do whatever it takes to be successful.
HC: Tell me a little bit about your internship.
Lauren: I’m currently interning for my congressional member in the House of Representatives! I do many different types of tasks. I give Capitol Hill tours to constituents, attend hearings/briefings on legislative issues, draft statements to be read on the house floor, and lots of administrative support. Every day is different depending on what is going on, but it’s always busy!
HC: Would you recommend this internship to other collegiates?
Lauren: 100% yes. If you have any interest in doing something government-related you need to get an internship on the Hill. Because we go to school so close to Washington, D.C., students should take advantage of these types of opportunities. I have learned more in my three months at this internship than I have in my entire life.
HC: Do you have any tips to share on how to balance school and interning?
Lauren: Having an internship and taking classes is a lot more work than I expected it to be. One big thing that I have learned to do is not procrastinate my schoolwork anymore. I try to get things done earlier, so I don’t end up having to stay up until all hours of the night trying to complete assignments the night before they are due. Another recommendation I have is to get as much sleep as you can! It’s tempting to stay up late watching Netflix every night, but if you’re busy during the week, you need as much sleep as you can.
HC: What’s your favorite part about working on the Hill?
Lauren: My favorite part is definitely how busy it always is! There have been so many historic events that have occurred during my time on the Hill (Government Shutdown, Syria, Affordable Care Act), and it has been incredible to see everything happen from the center of the political world.
HC: What are your future goals?
Lauren: In the future I would like to work as a Legislative Assistant for a congressional member, focusing on health/healthcare issues. Eventually I would like to do lobbying for health/healthcare issues. I also haven’t completely put the idea of running for office out of the picture!
Lauren is a fabulous role model for any student interested in the government field. She is extremely dedicated and passionate about her work, all while still making great grades in school. Keep an eye out for Lauren’s name—you will see it one day.