June 18, 2005 Capitol Hill Interns Looking for More than Just a Good Time.
There are numerous reasons why the nation’s capital attracts hundreds of interns from across the county. One of the greatest assets of the city is the one-of-a-kind industry located here – the U.S. government. The lure of the Capitol building and the people and practices housed therein, is a pull many students cannot ignore. When asked specifically why they came to Washington, more than one-third of survey respondents (35%) note the opportunity to expand their minds and beef-up their resumes. An additional 24% cite making connections and 29% mention some aspect of the one-of-a-kind nature of the job. Only 10% placed the social component at the top of the list. - Men express a higher interest than women in the educational and professional experience (40%-30%), as well as in the ability to make contacts (27%-21%), while women are more apt than men to have come for the unique opportunities only DC can offer (20%-14%).
- Interns aged 21 and older are more likely than their younger counterparts to admit to coming to the city for the thriving social scene it offers (15%-5%).
- College students entering their senior year and those who have already graduated—the interns most likely to have entering the job market on the brain, are more likely than others to be drawn to the chance to make professional contacts (31%). Those who attend college in the South are particularly keen on this opportunity, with more of them selecting it than any other DC draw (38%).
It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts. Capitol Hill interns do not hope to get by on looks alone. They stand firm behind their opinion that attitude and brains trump “how you look” and, to a lesser extent “who you know.” In fact, they are twice as likely to believe personality and intelligence would lead to greater success for future interns than contacts and appearance (66% compared to 31%). - Men, those 21 and older and college seniors are the interns most likely to name personality their top choice.
- Intelligence is considered most important by Senate interns, sophomores, those under 21, and North Central students.
- Republicans are more likely to identify personality as essential, while Democrats suggest one’s intellectual capacity is most helpful on the Hill.
Wanted: W’s Job. Men and women have markedly divergent hopes for their respective futures—while men prefer the Oval Office to a corner office (69%-27%), women express a clear preference to be CEO than Commander-in-Chief (54%-43%). - Interns under 21 years old are unmistakable in their quest for the US presidency (62%-32%), while those aged 21 and older are more evenly divided between leading the country and helming their own business (51%-45%).
- Those who attend college in the Northeast are considerably less likely than their peers from other parts of the country to seek America’s highest office with 49% setting their sights on the Presidency compared to 57% of Westerners, 59% of Southerners, and 61% of North Central dwellers.
Budding Policy Buffs. Despite their relatively short time in the country’s legislative hub, Capitol Hill interns are prepared to dole out advice to political leaders. A majority of respondents (52%) nod in assent when asked if the federal government’s budget is disproportionately dedicated to seniors; 44% disagree. Only 4% decline to offer an opinion. - Senate interns are more likely than their peers working in the House of Representatives to express discontent with the government’s spending on programs for seniors (62%-46%).
- Interns who work in Republican offices are more likely than their Democratic counterparts to suggest that the needs of their genera
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