US House representative DC office vs district office.

[Harman]

I have an opportunity to intern for a congressman in his D.C. office however, I also have the same opportunity to do so in his district office which is the same district that I am in.

I would like to know if Law Schools would weigh a D.C internship more than one in a local district, for the same representative?

If they are both equivalent I would most likely pursue the internship at the district office because of the cost involved with moving to D.C.

However, if an internship at the capitol is indeed weighed a substantial amount more, the cost might perhaps be worth the added weight.


Thanks in advance.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Harman,

This is an interesting question. I lived in DC for a number of years and love the city, thus I'm probably a bit biased here. So, to remove that bias from the equation, I asked my colleague Mike Spivey over at Spivey Consulting for his opinion. Here's what he said:

• They should stay in their district. The value isn't in the résumé builder on paper (applicants with experience on the hill are a dime a dozen) but rather in what they do. He/she will possibly have more real experience in the district to convey in the application. So I'd stay.

The point that Mike makes at the end is really worth thinking about before you start: seek experience and responsibility during the internship. And really get to know the members of the office; the connections can't hurt.

Best of luck and have fun!

[Harman]

The district office it is. Thanks, very helpful information.