|
Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - page 5
by Jessica Clark
Not all Washington interns are created equal. While some end up on the
front page of the Post for weeks on end, most end up in front of a fax
machine night after night. Overworked and paid a pittance or less,
young DC workers find their compensation in the promise of proximity
to power, intrigue, and history.
Occasional invitations to bigwig receptions aren't enough, however, for
those of us with post-school debts. Barring recourse to well-connected
relatives — or hush-hush help from Vernon Jordan — Beltway newcomers must
struggle to find work that matches their interests and pays their
bills. In order to avoid the internship crunch, job seekers have to come
armed with marketable skills, be willing to stitch together a patchwork
of positions, and resolve to refuse unreasonable work assignments.
Even after a successful job hunt, Washington workers must grapple with
the city's queasy hum of ambition, the ubiquitous credential swapping at
bars and parties, and the dysfunctional excesses permitted in high-profile, policymaking workplaces . While Clinton's alleged
antics have made news, behind-the-scenes DC tyrants make a regular habit of ruining the evenings and weekends of
their underlings with work.
Is the hassle a fair trade for the experience gained? Are Washington
institutions and politicians worth working for? After two and a half years in the capital city, I'm gainfully
employed — but ambivalent. CONTINUE ->
Jessica Clark is a writer no longer seduced by power.
© 1998 Tripod, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - page 5
|
|
