I came to Washington (DC, that is, not the state, my hometown-- an annoyance I've had to overcome in my short time here) with a hunger for adventure and a desire to learn how to cover politics. I'm still learning, and by no means do I feel like I have answers. But I'm learning the ins and outs and signature marks that make up this "10 square miles" and in reflecting on what I have seen, I have noticed a few things.
Here's what I've learned in the 6 or 7 weeks I've been here:
- This town truly is incestuous. Not only does everyone truly know everyone, but the dirtiest little scandals occur on the side, when no one's even paying attention. The latest debacle involves Kurt Bardella, the press aide of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) leaking private emails between Issa's office and local D.C. reporters to an outside author writing a book on political journalism coverage in the nation's capital. Oops. The story simply makes everyone look bad, and in this Washington Post article, Dana Milbank opens with, "If Washington's political culture gets any more incestuous, our children are going to be born with extra fingers." Well-said, sir.
- Networking will get you everywhere. Duh. You're thinking, "How could you possibly have not known this at 24 years of age and living in D.C.?" Well, I didn't fully believe it until I began to put myself out there at National Press Club events and meet n greets in which I first-handedly learned that half this town got their jobs by knowing the right person. *Sigh. Let the games begin.
- Experiencing a new city is overwhelming, motivating and exhausting. I have burned up shoe leather visiting the free museums here-- a perfect solo Sunday activity-- and I am still not even halfway through my list. Atop my favorites are The National Portraiture Gallery, The National Gallery of Art and the Newseum, of course. Tomorrow night, one of my roommates and I will attend what looks to be this amazing after-hours shmoozing event at the Newseum. The rooftop terrace view of the Capitol will probably never cease to amaze me. This has got to be one of the most motivating places I have ever lived, as reporters here are always on the go, always asking questions, typically feel entitled, appear fearless and plunge into their stories head first.
- Living with roommates-- particularly five other 20-something girls-- isn't quite as difficult as people had expected. By people, I mean everyone I told of my living situation. "Six girls in a tiny apartment in DC? Good luck with that," my friends back home would smirk. But I've been pleasantly surprised by the sweet friendships we've formed, the ability to co-exist, the common courtesies we show each other. Are we finally at an age when we can room together and live with strangers without drama and instead, simply stick together and learn from one another? Such a welcome change from my days of RA-ing and watching best friends turn to enemies because Roommate 1 lived like a sloppy barn animal and Roommate 2 couldn't figure out why bringing home boys to a 5 foot-by-5-foot room might disturb not only Roommate 1 but most of the floor of girls. These five girls are fellow interns in the Washington Center for Politics and Journalism. Aside from a shared love of writing, we have more in common than I would have imagined. As with AmeriCorps and living in Great Falls, Montana for a year, I learned more from the people than I did from the experiences, sometimes. And sharing my experiences and hearing their stories late at night while we sit around eating popcorn, unintentionally delving into serious conversations about life, love and careers or debating our political ideologies has reminded me that you needn't know someone your whole life to call them a good friend, and that it is possibly to learn something from everyone.
- It takes time to establish yourself. It takes a long, long time to build your career, your credibility, your entire network of contacts and mentors and colleagues. And it pains me to see, in this town, once it's gone, it's gone. (See Congressman Chris Lee.)
- No one who lives in DC is actually from this area. This is a town of transplants.
- It's amazing how much in common you may have with coworkers in their early 50s. One of my coworkers has been so kind as to let me into her life, share her wisdom with me, let me piggyback onto her stories, (and share the occasional byline with!) share her views on marriage, feminism, politics and generational career issues with me. In Montana, I got to know the women at the health department fairly well. By the end of the first quarter, I could pop into almost anyone's office and shoot the breeze. By the time my year was up, I received cards, well wishes and teary-eyed hugs as I set off for a new adventure. I expected the work culture here to be about as polar opposite as you could imagine, but I had hoped to make friends in my workplace. I'm pleased to say, mentors are mentors, and they're lurking everywhere. You just have to find them.
- There is an endless amount of activity to do here.
- Riding the metro is no laughing at matter. Get out of the way, get out fast. And for the love of tourists, stay to the right on the escalators, unless you plan to keep moving.
That's all for now. I promise to keep up with this blog better in the future. It's been a whirlwind thus far, but absolutely amazing and I feel lucky to have this adventure.
xoxo
T
No comments:
Post a Comment