This semester I was fortunate enough to intern for the US House of Representatives, and it has without a doubt set me up for success after graduation. When pursuing a liberal arts degree it can be difficult to know what the “next step” should be when there are so many options. It was one of the things I hated when I transitioned from STEM. This internship not only gave me direction, but it also secured me a job as a staffer post-graduation because of my successful internship experience. As a political science major there are many different directions one can go, but all of them are benefited by congressional experience. Whether you’re interested in NGO’s, policy, campaigning, international relations, non-profits, or any other variety of government related work, having experience working or interning for a congressional office on your resume will only make you a stronger candidate. A congressional internship was also a fantastic opportunity for me as a graduating senior in my last semester because it is one of the only internships that the Political Science department will accept as a replacement for the 499 capstone project.  Understanding the functions and rules of congress will, of course, be incredibly helpful to anyone working in a congressional office, but being an expert is by no means required. Passable knowledge is all you need to be successful. I think what set me up for success and set me apart from other interns (and job candidates) were my soft skills that came from lots of previous work experience. Being a proactive problem solver who’s outgoing and good with people is just as important to my success as an intern as anything I learned in school, and I would emphasize being prepared to get out and showcase those skills to future or incoming interns. Having completed my internship I am more excited than ever to continue working within the federal government as I continue to gain experience and network. My transition from intern this spring to staffer this summer will be seamless and my time working as a staffer will be invaluable to my career no matter what direction I may choose to go in my career down the road. I would strongly recommend this internship or something similar to any political science major if they have the opportunity.