Connections and Contacts: D.C. Networking Event

On July 23^rd, Women & Politics Institute partnered with Women in Government Relations (http://www.wgr.org/) and hosted “Connections and Contacts: D.C. Intern Networking Event.” Two hundred interns from across D.C. came to listen to a brief panel discussion on how to network followed by a reception with leading women in politics. Sarah E. Brewer, Ph.D., began the night with a brief, but informative lecture on “Networking 101,” teaching interns how to network successfully. The panel discussion included Sarah Gamino, Office of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Meghan O’Connor McDonogh, Catholic University; Cherreka Montgomery, U.S. Department of State; and Peggy Tighe, Strategic Health Care. After the discussion, the interns were given the opportunity to network with 25 senior women who work as lobbyists, Congressional staff, journalists, political consultants, and in the non-profit sector.

The night was a huge success, bringing in 200 interns from across the country. I even ran into a peer of mine from University of North Texas, who shared a political science class with me in the Spring of 2007. Other interns originated from California, Maine, and everywhere in between. The speakers were very informative, discussing how to get your first job, how to apply to graduate school, and the importance of finding a mentor. The venue was beautiful and it was a overall a great opportunity for interns to network with senior women!