This summer I’ve had the incredible experience of interning in Washington, D.C. Commuting to Union Station and seeing the Capitol every morning has certainly made this a summer to remember.
First, let me tell you what I do. I work at AWF Consulting, a firm that raises money for senators. It is our job to research prospective contributors, organize fundraising events and keep track of money raised. That requires a considerable amount of bookkeeping, and that’s where I come in. Instead of boring you with all the details, let me leave you something I’ve learned so far.
The real world is the best preparation for the real world. That sounds paradoxical but let me explain. I learned that while I am given relatively few responsibilities that are not necessarily difficult, they are incredibly important, and very, well, real. I think of this every time I copy tens of thousands of dollars in checks. It doesn’t require a brilliant thesis, but one lost check equals disaster. It’s those mundane, yet hugely important tasks that will best prepare me for real life.
On a lighter note, don’t allow friends to toss you into the Potomac River. It’s very dirty, but very fun.
-Ben (a rising junior majoring in political science and history)
