Ever since I visited DC in eighth grade as the big, end-of-the-year school field trip, I knew instantly that I wanted to move back. Despite my semester being cut short due to COVID-19, I am so grateful for having experienced UCDC. Through the program, I’ve made close friends from all different college campuses, developed a strong professional network, and experienced firsthand what a career in political consulting would be like.
As a political science and media studies double major, I have always been interested in the intersection of politics and marketing. Therefore, I decided to spend my semester in DC interning with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Despite having to wake up at the crack of dawn every morning, being in the office was such a rewarding experience. My office was located between the Senate office buildings and the Supreme Court, and my morning commute would fill me with excitement, as every day was different. At the DSCC, I had the opportunity to meet Senators Schumer, Harris, Markey, Booker, and many more just by simply being in the office! In addition, the connections our office had to the Senate staff meant that I was able to sit in and watch impeachment happen on my breaks.
Outside of the office, my group of friends and I spent our weekends exploring DC. Our typical weekend involved brunch, strolls along the National Mall, playing Cards Against Humanity while sipping boba in Georgetown, and dinner at DC classics. At night, you could find us riding electric scooters all over town, on U Street, or grabbing late-night eats at Kabob Palace in Arlington. On long weekends, we hiked at Great Falls Park and got to visit nearby cities. My favorite part was exploring the different neighborhoods and the coffee shops that resided there. Additionally, being in DC I got to participate in the Women’s March, visit the White House, tour the FBI, and go snow tubing!
As a city in which everyone seemingly knows each other and job prospects rely on who you know, UCDC has given me access to a plethora of resources and networks. The intern coordinator at the DSCC had just completed UCDC a year before me and our office was filled with Berkeley alumni! Having gone through UCDC, I’m glad that I decided to pursue a career in politics. The city, and the work that comes along with it, is fast-paced but incredibly exciting. Much like campus, everyone you meet is extremely passionate about a wide variety of topics and are constantly trying to pay it forward. I’m looking forward to when I will be back in DC in the future!