I love having the opportunity to work in a federal office. The site in Eugene is fairly small, so I have been able to get a really up-close look at how our government systems work. I am able to do research projects and interact with constituents, but it isn't a high-pressure situation. The Senate staff are always willing to answer questions and are generous with delegating research projects.
What I wish was different
I wish it would've been paid! I am a full-time student and a part-time worker, so carving out extra time from my week for this internship, unpaid, was a little painful on my pocketbook. However, because it's unpaid, there isn't a lot of pressure. Senate staff are always understanding about any schedule conflicts and are vocal about putting school before the internship.
Advice
I would definitely recommend interning for Senator Wyden! His staff is great, and his office has a long history of interning with university students. I would make sure you're prepared to take on the extra hours. Though the work stays in the office, the average workweek for interns is ~10 hours, and there is no time to do anything else while you're there (i.e. downtime for homework, emails, etc.). Be prepared to put in the work!
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Intern
June - September 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I liked the environment, the people, and the learning opportunities. I got to be involved with engaging communities during town hall meetings and talking to constituents over the phone.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been offered a position/told of available positions after my experience.
Advice
I would say that you don't have to be a political science major to get an internship opportunity here. I am a gerontology major and I still found it exciting and enlightening. As long as your open and willing to learn about politics, it will be a wonderful experience.
