Andrew Colford’s Senate Internship & The Impact of a DC Semester

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Andrew Colford, a recent graduate from the University of New Haven, spent the Spring 2022 semester interning for Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT), where he interacted with constituents, gave Capitol tours, and attended in-person Senate hearings related to energy and the environment. Andrew’s DC semester led him to a career in DC after graduation.

My name is Andrew Colford, and I just graduated from the University of New Haven this past May. This past spring, I had the opportunity to intern at the Office of Senator Blumenthal (CT), where I answered phones from constituents, gave Capitol tours, attended in-person hearings, and assisted staffers with miscellaneous projects. I primarily focused on energy and environment work, where I had to write policy memos and attend hearings for the staff members. My internship was a fantastic experience, as I was able to roam the halls of the Capitol, run into Senators and Representatives around every corner, and contribute to legislation. One big thing I learned while interning on the Hill is that you need to network if you want to work full-time on the Hill, and that networking is one of the biggest skills you need to learn if you would like to work in DC. During my time in Senator Blumenthal’s office, I met many nice, genuine people I remain in contact with today.

The WII graciously let me stay at their housing again this fall, where I had another internship with the lobbying group Invariant. Invariant is a top five lobbying firm in DC where we lobby for a wide spread of issue areas on behalf of our clients. My role at Invariant was Operations and Events Intern, where I got to help organize events at Invariant’s townhouse, such as campaign fundraisers, client happy hours/fly-ins, or other special occasions. This internship allowed me to see the private side of government and how lobbying groups interact with Congress, which gave me a different perspective on how government operates. Midway through the internship, I was hired by Invariant full-time as the Operations Assistant. I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity, which wouldn’t be possible without the help of the WII.

During my time in DC, I have done many fun things because of my two internships. I was able to see Senator Booker’s passionate speech about Justice Jackson in person, I was able to go to the White House for an Easter event and meet the Secretary of Education, and most recently, I was able to meet Senator Warnock at a Congressional Black Caucus event. Now with my full-time position, I can go to black-tie galas and other events that clients host or sponsor. If you are unsure whether you want to work in DC, I recommend that you do; there is nothing quite like this city.

During my time at the WII, I also met some great people. I was pretty nervous when I first came down because I had never been away from home for an extended period, but my nerves started to settle as I got to know the other students from the WII. We created a great bond with one another, making for a memorable experience outside of our internships. We would go out to dinner with one another, go out to coffee, and explore the city that none of us were familiar with as a group. Some of the best moments throughout college have been with the people I met down here, and some of them will be friends for life.

My two internships made me realize that DC was the city for me— it is always so lively and something is always going on. I could experience things I would never think of experiencing back home. One of the biggest skills that I learned from my internship on the Hill was attention-to-detail, and in every job, this is probably going to be the most crucial skill you’ll need to have. While working for a company, all the work you do isn’t seen as “your work,” but as the company’s work, so you’re going to need a keen eye for detail so you do not make a mistake and devalue the company’s reputation. I learned much living in DC which has changed my perspectives on many different focus areas. The two classes I took also taught me a lot. Dr. Barlow taught us what it takes to be a professional in DC, whether it was helping us with our resume, cover letter, or elevator pitch, and all the career advice she gave in class has helped me in my young career. Professor Driskell taught us what happens in DC, whether it is how Congress operates, the power of advocacy or how lobbyists influence legislation in the halls of Congress. Professor Q [Driskell] is one of the most impactful professors I have had the pleasure of being a student for.

My advice to future WII interns is to network. Most jobs are because of a connection, and you never know where a coffee or night out on the town may lead. Also, take your schoolwork seriously; these professors are there for you to grow, develop, and network with. These reasons are why I’ll never forget my time at the WII.

Some recommendations for future WII students:

  • Crystal City Sports Pub

  • The Wharf (beautiful waterfront with restaurants)

  • Georgetown

  • National Museum of African American History and Culture

  • Costco! (Wholefoods is expensive)

  • Monuments on the National Mall

  • Ted’s Montana Grill

  • Tacombi