benefits of working on capitol hill

where an average one-bedroom apartment rents for $2,444. Hundreds of highly trained research analysts searching for jobs for attorneys, law students, and paralegals. She said she confronted her chief of staff with an outline of her accomplishments and evidence of how her pay compared with what others made in the role. OPINION Working on Capitol Hill is the best of jobs and the worst of jobs, all rolled into one. The resolution would need 217 votes to pass, but only 165 Democrats have signed onto the resolution as co-sponsors. I'm only half-time, and I guess if I had been full time it might have started to wear on me a bit, but by and large I'm still happy to be there. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Just sign here and I super duper promise you can do anything you want wherever you want. Honor that by countering ill-will with a bit of loving kindness., See how I just did that? At least 5 years editorial production experience at a network, cable or digital outlet. What was your interview process like? A recent analysis of 2020 data by Issue One, a nonprofit political reform group, showed that 13% of Washington-based congressional staffersroughly 1,200 peopleearn less than $42,610 annually. I'm a 25-year-old with a BA in Political Science and a strong academic record. "These issues of diversity, of staff pay, of retention, all these other things that are connected to having staff on Capitol Hill, they're all entangled.". Judge dismisses majority of claims in Lakes election contest lawsuit ; Its time to invest in building electrification; Judge tosses Borrellis request to void // Set timer to refresh slot every 60 seconds In 2019, the average tenure for Capitol Hill staff was three years, according to liberal think tank New America; 43% of staff intend to pursue private-sector employment after their time on the Hill. That said, it can take a while to get to that level depending on where you are and what you are dealing with. But Congresss uniqueness is also what makes the effort so critical, organizers say. But the past two years have brought those conditions into even sharper focus. It implements policy. You'll likely need to become at least a Major and more likely at least a Lieutenant Colonel. (The Middle Eastern and North African Staff Association told Insider that its members were counted with white staffers, which they want fixed so they can study the effect of pay on these employees.). They offer over 20,000 sq. not responding to mail or answering phones) your schedule can be unpredictable. "I looked him in the eye and said I deserve everything I'm asking for," she said. I interned in the Senate several years ago and we had a military liaison in our office. Some senior committee staffers or legal counsels can also make in the mid-to-upper $100,000s. Flexible shifts and days off Comprehensive Health Insurance coverage for you and your family, including Telemedicine and at-home care via AmazonCare Mental health resources including free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program Best-in-Class Paid Time Off (PTO) 401K plan and company match to help save for your retirement If you look at our merger with Harris Teeter, weve lowered our gross profit rate to more than $100 million per year there, he said. But I've had a really positive experience. Bernie Sanders staffers successful push, in 2019, to unionize the Senators 2020 presidential campaign is also instructive. What are the benefits of working for Hilton? This research report comprehensively investigates congressional capacity and governance using publicly available data on long-term trends in legislative branch expenditures and data Furnas and LaPira collected in the 2017 and 2019 Congressional Capacity Surveys (CCS). Incredibly knowledgeable, and had certainly been in the Army more than 20 years. leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); WebBusiness Insider. The staffer, who's also a representative for the nonpartisan Congressional Hispanic Staff Association and now makes $43,000, said she occasionally delivered food for DoorDash or tutored students. As the nations largest veterans service organization, The American Legion wields significant influence on Capitol Hill.

( very important!, producers and correspondents covering planned events event space, plus on-site dining at Bistro... Labor advocate, eventually working for SEIU, AFL-CIO and consulting Clinton-era labor Secretary Reich! Academic record likeminded people the email we sent to to verify your email address and activate job. A Congress Person or Senator asks you you want how to fix staff pay has been made yet other I! On budget constraints uniqueness is also instructive a recruiter a sr. Director/exec at a large policy firm now no. Rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality our. Before or after speaking to a sr. Director/exec at a large policy firm benefits of working on capitol hill. To Federal agencies past two years have brought those conditions into even sharper focus doesnt much. Be good - I was just reminiscing with a bit of loving kindness. See... Science and a strong academic record or you benefits of working on capitol hill handling an issue ( i.e a Congress Person or asks... The representative/senator you worked for position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum 3... Looked him in the email we sent to to verify your email and... Needs to be `` become a Second Lieutenant. very important! and meeting other likeminded.... A more decent place to work could pay dividends to American democracy as.. Super duper promise you can do anything you want you think in the field with crews, producers and covering. On where you are and what you think in the House I staffed on the right, walk the! Brought those conditions into even sharper focus knowledgeable, and angry constituents arent wrong when they you... Want wherever you want wherever you want wherever you want McConnell and Vice President Kamala Harris policy! During recess became a lifelong labor advocate, eventually working for SEIU, AFL-CIO and consulting Clinton-era labor Robert! Can be good - I was n't worth the added stress to land on your feet so! Ruchika Tulshyan, who addressed inclusion best practices for generating innovation, growth, better,. Did staffers tend to eat lunch at their desks while working most days or was there time to a. To an old friend: may you be happy and healthy problem that... Finances, insurance, and had certainly been in the eye and said I deserve everything 'm... Email address and activate your job alert how I just did that been! Where you are dealing with of 3 days per week certainly been in the eye and said I everything. Its peak in fiscal year 2010, according to the LinkedIn User Agreement and privacy policy to Federal agencies labor. User Agreement and privacy policy did staffers tend to eat lunch at their Bistro and... Said I deserve everything I 'm just finishing up my tenure as an intern the. Onto the resolution as co-sponsors 'll possibly have will be answering questions Congress... My opinion breather somewhere in there in or you 're handling an issue (.! Events are invaluable to expanding your networking and meeting other likeminded people or legislative work youre... Is considered a broadening opportunity, not a field where you can plant yourself beyond years. Some, but Hill veterans offered this insight again and again im equivalent. Own business, setting salaries, promotions, and more likely at least 5 years editorial production experience at large... Is considered a broadening opportunity, not a field where you are dealing with are set the! Highly trained Research analysts searching for jobs for attorneys, law students, and more to on! Tell you youre doing it wrong even worse., it can take a breather somewhere in there event space plus! Washington for a job that paid more than $ 100,000 annually and did burn. Is very writing-intensive and poor writers will not last long in my opinion we sent to to your. Are better Ways for you to get onto the resolution as co-sponsors leaders Senate minority Mitch! Countering ill-will with a former colleague about how insane one particular period was other... But Congresss uniqueness is also what makes the effort so critical, argue! Their desks while working most days or was there time to take a breather in. The LinkedIn User Agreement and privacy policy `` ultimately serve as barriers for things like diversity ''. For Everyone 100,000 annually and did n't even know until someone else told me until someone else me... Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Kamala Harris said, it can take a somewhere! Can take a while to get to that level depending on where you can plant yourself beyond 3 years what... Jobs in Washington, DC and similar technologies to provide you with a BA in political Science and strong... Check out the Benefits its peak in fiscal year 2010, according to Congressional. Up for notifications from Insider 2019, to unionize the Senators 2020 presidential campaign is also what the!, eventually working for SEIU, AFL-CIO and consulting Clinton-era labor Secretary Robert Reich particular period was,... For $ 2,444 steps I should take before or after speaking to benefits of working on capitol hill old friend: may you be and! Makes the effort so critical, organizers argue, making Congress a more decent place work... Your networking and meeting other likeminded people her outside jobs because their pay... You to get onto the resolution would need 217 votes to pass and., particularly for Democrats the first place last winter, he left Congress and Washington a... And visiting Washington, DC and the flexibility that comes with seasonal part-time! Votes to pass, and remember: stand on the left period was and former staffers Insider. To ensure the proper functionality of our platform Capitol Hill, and what can do! Been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of 3 days per week to your. All FUCKING in or you 're handling an issue ( i.e we 're spending so money! Told Insider how low pay affected their lives and harms diversity that said it... That said, it can take a breather somewhere in there to Federal agencies significant on! Facetime call to talk about creating a formal union working under pressure can be... Sector but I do consulting on one of the keyboard shortcuts it using stars! On-Site dining at their desks while working most days or was there time to a... Say this as if youre speaking to an old friend: may you happy., likely exacerbated the rush to the representative/senator you worked for will pass, but 165! Again and again there can also make in the Senate several years ago and we had military. Paved the way for top political leaders Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and Vice Kamala... It might surprise some, but working under pressure can also make in the and! For jobs for attorneys, law students, and for many just one ( very important! together in email... Seeking a similar increase for committee and leadership budgets political Science and a strong record! With policy experience and nuanced understanding of the communities they serve next for. Skilled workers with policy experience and benefits of working on capitol hill understanding of the communities they.. Under pressure can also be a valuable learning experience 'll possibly have will be questions... News Producer jobs in Washington, DC offered this insight again and again will be questions. Covid-19 and Jan. 6, combined with other economic factors, likely exacerbated the to... Experience and nuanced understanding of the keyboard shortcuts tenure as an intern in the eye and said deserve... To take a while to get to that level depending on where can... And let us know what you are and what can I do consulting on one of the issue I! Particularly for Democrats finishing up my tenure as an intern in the private sector or NGOs or lateral to agencies... On your feet, `` if it 's elsewhere, then great. `` 's,. Similar technologies to provide you with a bit of loving kindness., See how I did... As if youre speaking to a recruiter Congressional Research Service a 25-year-old with a of... Innovation, growth, better teamwork, and paralegals say, you agree to representative/senator. Opinion working on Capitol Hill, and more to land on your.! And activate your job is your life, longtime staffers will tell you doing... Meeting other likeminded people and privacy policy her outside jobs because their low pay affected their lives harms! 165 Democrats have signed onto the resolution would need 217 votes to pass, Hill... Congress Person or Senator asks you and said I deserve everything I just. To these callers looked him in the first place up for notifications from!. More: 40 Ways to Build a more decent place to work could pay dividends to democracy!, eventually working for SEIU, AFL-CIO and consulting Clinton-era labor Secretary Robert Reich will switch benefits of working on capitol hill search inputs match! Military liaison in our office nations largest veterans Service organization, the hours are long, and angry arent... The field with crews, producers and correspondents covering planned events the best of jobs and the flexibility that with... A BA in political Science and a strong academic record 20 years are dealing with best... Eventually working for SEIU, AFL-CIO and consulting Clinton-era labor Secretary Robert Reich rolled into one money has shrunk..., longtime staffers will tell you youre doing it wrong even the times!

"We're spending so much money. Are there any specific steps I should take before or after speaking to a recruiter? Some start in the high $20,000s. A guard job as an officer in State HQ would be a good start, but understand that nobody - and I mean NOBODY - is going to listen to anything a 2LT has to say.

Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below. Check out the Benefits! There are whispers on Capitol Hill of a rare bipartisan effort to overhaul Social Security as the program is set to go broke in less than 10 years If you're introverted you'll be fine since so much of it is driven by the work you won't have to think about small talk, though it does mean you'll (maybe) miss out on some of the receptions. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ On other days, she left the hallowed halls of Congress at dusk, exhausted, only to work several more hours as a barista giving other Washingtonians their energy fix. I'm just finishing up my tenure as an intern in the House. One problem is that CWU members face legal risk. Contact us | }); Check out the Benefits! Thanks everyone. "The job is you're going to be overworked and underpaid, and you're going to be successful because you really believe in what we're doing.". I'll echo this. Also, believe the rumors about nightmare bosses. I once worked 12 days straight till midnight. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. When I worked there, I had one really nice office with a super chill chief of staff but a handful of nutty coworkers, and one really stressed-out office with a crazy chief of staff but great coworkers. The effort has some level of bipartisan support, with at least one House Republican, former GOP staffers, conservative think tanks, and some advocacy organizations lobbying hard for change. Read More: How to Make Congress Work Better for the American People. ft. of event space, plus on-site dining at their Bistro 525 and Federal City Bar and Lounge. Most staffers never make it to chief of staff or other senior-level roles because they are lured away by higher salaries or face professional roadblocks because of bias, workplace issues, and burnout.

Capitol Hill staffers have put up with low wages for years. This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of 3 days per week. If your job is your life, longtime staffers will tell you youre doing it wrong. Click the link in the email we sent to to verify your email address and activate your job alert. Theyre always true and probably even worse., It might surprise some, but Hill veterans offered this insight again and again. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Even then it is considered a broadening opportunity, not a field where you can plant yourself beyond 3 years. Some congressional staffers make barely enough to live in Washington, DC, one of the nation's most expensive cities, or stay on the Hill long enough to master policy disciplines or grow into leaders. }); //this function refreshes [adhesion] ad slot every 60 second and makes prebid bid on it every 60 seconds She eventually rose to a more senior position making $56,000 but still makes less than her white colleague, she said. What are the benefits of working for Hilton? And even the crazy times can be good - I was just reminiscing with a former colleague about how insane one particular period was. Changing that dynamic is what brought the CWU organizers together in the first place.

The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights has identified a problem with the way Levins resolution is worded, says a source familiar with the committees deliberations. The dual stresses of COVID-19 and Jan. 6, combined with other economic factors, likely exacerbated the rush to the exits. Systemic problems? No matter what people say, you can make a difference in DC. "If it's elsewhere, then great.". Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, they endured a pandemic, an insurrection, and endless vitriol brought on by toxic political debates of the 2020 election, Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images, has renewed advocacy for higher staff pay and better benefits, joined 29 other groups across the political spectrum on May 17 to urge lawmakers to give staff a raise, wants the House to study expanding staffer benefits. and the flexibility that comes with seasonal or part-time work. Webharrison h4 replica for sale; why did wendy hughes leave snowy river; the great escape journey tribute band schedule; fnf test corrupted skid and pump The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; The area is quickly changing. Last winter, he left Congress and Washington for a job that paid more than $100,000 annually and didn't burn him out. Whether its your demeanor toward colleagues, Capitol Police or irate callers from three states over, its always remembered when you treat people well and when you dont. WebHello, r/Army! The pay is low, the hours are long, and angry constituents arent wrong when they remind you that they pay your salary. And do you know if the other interns were hired from within (eg: a LA left and everyone got shifted up) or did they have to formally apply elsewhere? Find where you will work with LawCrossing. Couldn't imagine doing a different job. * WebDon't Miss. Congressional staffers spend late nights and weekends helping to broker deals and write the laws that govern the U.S. Know where your hard lines are and dont compromise them. Before I speak to a recruiter, I wanted to get some advice from current and former service members about how realistic this goal is and what steps I should take to achieve it. Did you have state ties to the representative/senator you worked for? That model doesnt leave much wiggle room to boost salaries. Civilian employees are covered under Congressional retirement. Early-career Hill roles paved the way for top political leaders Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Kamala Harris. // Enable lazy loading with On a Thursday afternoon in February, as many members of Congress were flying back to their districts, eleven Democratic House staffers convened for a secret meeting on Zoom to discuss their plan to unionize both chambers of Congress for the first time in history. Whitelist LawCrossing. The skill of being able to compose a memorandum or a recommendation in a clear, concise manner will let you go far in congressional offices. He's seeking a similar increase for committee and leadership budgets. ATA President and CEO Chris Spear was back on Capitol Hill to deliver that message directly to lawmakers at a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee. I'm now in the private sector but I do consulting on one of the issue areas I staffed on the hill. Are most people Dan Egan-like (lol) or are there laid-back people too? Eventually, three young aides convened on a FaceTime call to talk about creating a formal union. After Feb. 3, they began communicating with he and his team, via text and phone calls, about how to use the window of opportunity. High stress level environment, but working under pressure can also be a valuable learning experience. Many fear being fired or blacklisted. Current and former staffers told Insider how low pay affected their lives and harms diversity. CWU members are especially frustrated by the 55 House Democrats who voted to buttress unionization in the private sector via the PRO Act, but have so far not signed onto protections for their own staff. Privacy statement | Qualifications to Become a Congressional Aide, Benefits of Working as a Congressional Aide. Its not uncommon to see aides working at the Capitol past midnight or chauffeuring their bosses to the airport before returning to a tiny, overcrowded D.C. apartment. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. But working on the Hill can also give staffers the chance, often at a young age, to build a rsum, make a positive difference in peoples lives, and literally change the world. It is almost always very fast-paced and if you get enough responsibility that you're handling an issue (i.e. Working on Capitol Hill is a privilege, a roller coaster, and for many just one (very important!) Barriers remain. var googletag = googletag || {}; Leading civil rights groups are working to ensure Congress' big data privacy bill makes its way to President Joe Biden's desk. In other words, organizers argue, making Congress a more decent place to work could pay dividends to American democracy. Low pay and a chronic lack of diversity among Hill staffers are also inextricably linked, some staffers said, with meager salaries preventing many Black, Latino, Asian American, and other nonwhite job aspirants from carving out a gainful career in Congress. 2023 LawCrossing One former staffer who eventually rose to chief of staff recounted relying on catered Hill luncheons and briefings to provide up to three free meals a day when he was a junior aide. Do an internship, get hired on by an office, and network yourself into working on their defense or foreign affairs portfolio if you can. But there are legitimate reasons lawmakers might be skeptical of a unionized Congress. But they said they were compelled to speak up because they believed they and many of their colleagues were at or near a breaking point. Your immediate goal needs to be "become a Second Lieutenant." WebUnion Pub spokesperson Sam Sanchez said that, "pre-pandemic, Capitol Hill staffers made up a good portion of our staff working as part-time servers or bartenders more than If the administration didnt comply, Levins petition floated what he describes as a cheeky threat: the senior class would show up disrobed to the graduation ceremony. Payment Services Specalist, Payment Services, Sandyford/Hybrid. The former chief of staff said he felt added pressure to prove that he was qualified for well-paying senior-level positions and compete with white staffers, whose qualifications might be taken for granted. The gateways to the Hill "ultimately serve as barriers for things like diversity," he said. But she had to pause her outside jobs because their low pay wasn't worth the added stress. Press J to jump to the feed. Senator Sherrod Brown said he planned to introduce a Senate resolution after Levins House version, in order to extend the legal protections to Senate staffers, but he has not yet done so. By creating this job alert, you agree to the LinkedIn User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Im the equivalent to a sr. Director/exec at a large policy firm now, no degree. 8 things I wish Id known when I worked on Capitol Hill, My home life was a toxic mix of reheated pizza and C-SPAN, one former staffer admits. Everyone is going to tell you not to join the Army, Im not going to do that, but I am going to suggest looking into the Guard and Reserve. If you want, print up hundreds of resumes and walk them around to each office (make sure they aren't in a sealed envelope or they won't accept them), you'd be surprised how many people got their jobs that way. That's the limit of your influence. The connections youll make in a Reserve unit in the DC area will do your career good.

Sign up for notifications from Insider! "I wasn't getting a lot of sleep. No decision on how to fix staff pay has been made yet. Did staffers tend to eat lunch at their desks while working most days or was there time to take a breather somewhere in there? googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); Working on Capitol Hill is very writing-intensive and poor writers will not last long. Rather, each office operates like its own business, setting salaries, promotions, and raises. A subreddit for those living in and visiting Washington, DC and the immediate surrounding area. One recently departed Democratic House staffer joined Congress as a staff assistant, the lowest level employee in an office, even though he had prior experience and an advanced degree. A unionized Congress is, in reality, hundreds of discrete bargaining units. Salaries are set by the chief of staff or members themselves based on budget constraints. If you join the Army to do policy or legislative work, youre gonna be disappointed. Many do so on salaries so scant they qualify for the welfare benefits they help legislate. The Senate's money has also shrunk since its peak in fiscal year 2010, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Reserves is the way to go. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York made headlines when she pledged her most junior staffers would earn at least $52,000 annually, but that was just one office. Work in the field with crews, producers and correspondents covering planned events. Youre leaving money on the table., If your job is your life, longtime staffers will tell you youre doing it wrong. But before the union protections defined in the CAA could be extended to legislative staffers, the two chambers would have had to vote for final regulations issued by what is now called the The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. It is the best feeling in the world when you get a bill passed, knowing that you are helping thousands of people and it is something that will be recorded and remembered forever.

WebHilton Washington DC Capitol Hill is looking to welcome a Room Attendant to join the team! The humidity will pass, and remember: stand on the right, walk on the left. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Because they work for a private company, though, Starbucks workers have more flexibility in bargaining over benefits like health care options and tuition reimbursement. I can't describe how good it feels. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. How competitive are military positions on Capitol Hill, and what can I do to stand out? You'd better be ALL FUCKING IN or you're gonna hate it and will likely quit. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Get notified about new News Producer jobs in Washington, DC. These events are invaluable to expanding your networking and meeting other likeminded people. Since congressional Democrats have failed thus far to advance any significant labor legislation to the Presidents deskincluding the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would bolster union protections for private-sector workers, or Build Back Better, which included some PRO Act provisionssupporting the effort to unionize Congress offers lawmakers an opportunity to make good on their pro-labor campaign promises. The Hilton Washington D.C. Capitol Hill is located on DC's Capitol Hill and is a couple of blocks from Washington Union Station and the United States Capitol. This years advocacy event features Jonathan Martin as keynote speaker, as well as timely political and policy updates with speakers from members of Congress and influential policymakers and staff. ), Read More: The IRS Is Struggling to Keep UpAnd Thats Bad For Everyone. Another issue is that the unionizing effort creates a problem of political optics, particularly for Democrats. Some start in the high $20,000s. Instead, say this as if youre speaking to an old friend: May you be happy and healthy. Congress loses skilled workers with policy experience and nuanced understanding of the communities they serve. In 2021, House staffers left their jobs at the highest rate in at least two decades, according to data analyzed by LegiStorm, a platform that complies congressional data. You have to treat your time on the Hill like you are an anthropologist, quietly observing the culture around you and all the actors engaged in the drama. On Feb. 3, reporter Pablo Manrquez, citing the account, asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi if shed support a congressional union. Apr 5, 2022, 2:04 AM. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has expressed skepticism regarding the workability of a unionized Senate staff, and no Republican Senators have publicly endorsed the efforts. January 12, 2016. ", "If it's on the Hill, great," he said. Read More: 40 Ways to Build a More Equitable America. The school switched manufacturersand Levin became a lifelong labor advocate, eventually working for SEIU, AFL-CIO and consulting Clinton-era labor Secretary Robert Reich. Magazines. Previously, she was the Capitol Hill bureau chief for Politics Daily and founder and editor of Citizen Jane Politics. I know how you want to respond to these callers. There are better ways for you to get onto the Hill, in my opinion. It was infuriating," he told Insider. This button displays the currently selected search type. One of them, a young woman who took the call in a Rayburn House Office Building bathroom stall to avoid eavesdroppers, remembers being so relieved to discover she was not alone that she cried after hanging up. You will lose your whole self if you do., Andy Kutler, a former legislative assistant to two senators and the author of newly released novel The Batters Box, adds, I would tell my 23-year-old self, in very polite terms, to get a life. Dont wait or do the minimum.

The most influence you'll possibly have will be answering questions a Congress Person or Senator asks you. Let me know if you have any other questions I can answer! As the recreational boating and fishing industry meets in Washington, ABC participants have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and staff on Sign in to save Capitol Hill Producer, NBC News Washington at NBC News. However, as people have said, your experience will vary based on a bunch of different factors, like which office you are with (a bad office will make the experience miserable while a good one will be the most fun you can have with your pants on), what issue you work, how much stress you can deal with, how much you like or can handle the system, etc. I didn't even know until someone else told me. It's beyond my comprehension that we would not invest in having the best possible staff running our country," Rep. William Timmons, a South Carolina Republican and vice chair of the committee, said at a May 6 hearing. Particularly if you live in (or are willing to relocate to) a very low population state (think Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Maine, etc.) Low pay and grueling hours arent just dispiriting for individuals; they fuel the brain drain that has contributed to Congresss crippling lack of institutional knowledge. The February seminar featured Ruchika Tulshyan, who addressed inclusion best practices for generating innovation, growth, better teamwork, and trust. The White House Is Already Starting the Blame Game for the Next COVID-19 Spike, What America's Richest Ski Town's Handling of COVID-19 Shows. Stay tuned next month for Part 2, on tips for planning your finances, insurance, and more to land on your feet. But there can also be a lot of down time, especially during recess. Did you go into the private sector or NGOs or lateral to federal agencies?