At the beginning of my internship and the semester, I was extremely joyful and excited to start and engage in all the tasks my internship required. This included completing memos for both House and Senate committees and serving as escorts for guests meeting with Senator Schumer’s staff. Being that Senator Schumer is the Minority Leader, we were super busy, but that only kept me excited, engaged, and happy to go to work every day until the government shutdown occurred mid-semester. The shutdown was a highly charged political moment. Senator Schumer was facing some backlash, and the interns were the first to feel it, as our work was reduced while calls significantly increased and became more intense.
Friday classes with Casey and Robert allowed me to take my mind off the government shutdown and it allowed me to reset after a long week, so I really looked forward to it. Visiting the Federal Bureau of Investigation Museum (FBI) was one of my Friday class highlights, as it really took my mind off shutdown-related stress. The museum was not only fun and interactive, but also informative and insightful about various career pathways within the FBI, and this experience really triggered my interest in the public affairs specialist role.
Once the government shutdown ended after 43 days, the longest shutdown in U.S. history, everything returned to normal at work, and my joy and excitement about the internship came back. Not only were there more positive calls, but more opportunities became available for me at my internship. One such opportunity was a Capitol Dome tour, to the very top of the Capitol building, which allowed me to pause and truly reflect on where I was and how far I had come during the semester. Standing inside such a historic space reminded me of the responsibility and impact tied to the work I was doing in Washington, D.C.
Brianna Rogers shaking hands with Hakeem Jeffries
Some other highlights for me included when the Schumer interns and I had lunch with the Senator, meeting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at the SUNY Advocacy Day event on Capitol Hill, and attending Buffalo Nite with other New Yorkers, also on Capitol Hill. Robert was able to secure our small but mighty cohort tickets to attend Buffalo Nite and we got to speak to some alumni of the SUNY Washington program about their jobs and the impact of the shutdown on each of them. We also spoke at the event with Congressman Tim Kennedy about our internships, further reinforcing the importance of the experiences we were gaining and how they connect to real-world policy and leadership.
Now I know that politics has its highs and lows, as well as its pros and cons, but nothing is permanent. Coming to DC and taking part in this journey not only helped direct me on my career path but it also allowed me to experience deep personal growth. This experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone, challenged me in ways I never expected, and helped me discover my own resilience and confidence. Being immersed in such a fast-paced and historic environment taught me how to adapt, advocate for myself, and truly believe in my abilities. I leave this journey with a clearer sense of purpose, a stronger voice, and gratitude for the growth both personal and professional, that this experience gave me.