Five Tips for An Aggie’s Semester in D.C.
Washington, D.C., has the second-highest concentration of Aggies outside of College Station, a number that only grows each time interns flock to the nation’s capital to gain meaningful experiences such as answering phone calls from disgruntled constituents and learning how to use public transportation. A semester in D.C. can be life-changing, and as a previous intern, I have gained expertise on all things Washington, D.C. Here are the top five things you should keep in mind during this transformative internship:
- Mention that you are from Texas wherever you go. Everyone absolutely needs to know, and they totally can’t already tell by your freshly shined belt buckle or your affinity for the word “y’all.”
- Dress to impress. Take a leap of faith and hit purchase on that $350 Shein cart. You will wear every single thing you buy, and that nylon blazer and polyester blouse will last for decades to come. Literally.
- Smile at every stranger with full eye contact. Invite serendipity! You never know who might follow you home.
- Use the members-only elevator in the Cannon Building. This is an excellent networking opportunity that not many interns know about. If you find yourself in there with an elected official, be sure to let them know your first and last name, as well as the office you work for. They will likely hype you up to your office supervisor. A recommendation from someone like that can land you a return offer!
- Use your time on public transport to de-stress. Tell your fellow interns about how horrible your boss was that day or how much you disagree with the Senator you work for. I can almost promise you that everyone on the Metro has your best interests at heart, and the likelihood that someone on the train knows you or your office is little to none.
— Panty Hopping
For Panty Hopping, nothing feels more liberating than a comforting swim in the waters of Rudder Fountain. Her articles are all written after her refreshing wades in the waters of the many ponds on campus, and the mysterious liquid masquerading as water within these ponds renders her unable to recall writing her articles. She asserts she is not liable for anything written within them, and that the blood, sweat and tears of Aggies long gone that she has absorbed through her swims in the mystical ponds are the lifeblood of her writing. Sure, Panty Hopping might be seen applying to every organization on campus or in the Instagram comments of that girl in your Math 140 class three semesters ago. Still, her true passion lies in swimming in the glorious ponds on campus.