Orientation Over, Selection Continues

Has two weeks of Brookings training with the other LEGIS fellows really ended? Apparently yes, as we took our quiz, completed the evaluation and ended the experience with the usual group meal at the America Restaurant in Union Station (convenient, but the food has never been worth writing home about, or blogging about...).

The first week was the thrill of starting. The second week the work was honing in on potential offices, and this week we continued with interviews. I feel as if I've been on 12 first dates. Getting a sense of the person you'd work closely with for a year, getting a feel for the office, being on your best behavior, and selling yourself. It's more tiring than I expected. Now I just want to know "who's taking me to the prom?"

Some offices feel like the wrong fit for me right away, often because the staff is very inexperienced, new to the office and unfocused. I'm looking for an experience where I can understand how the office functions and how I can best contribute. Some offices are much more casual about "systems", info flow, who does what when, and is often (and with pride) in crisis mode. Other offices seem more seasoned to me, with stable staff, clear procedures and a sense of calm during the storm of session - for me, a better learning environment.

I'm pretty sure that at this stage in my life, I no longer have the temperament for the "rough and tumble" of the House, although they pass more legislation and have more political intrigue through their rules and procedures. The Senate Finance Committee reached out to me with interest, yet their process takes several weeks before a formal offer is made - do I want to wait that long and risk losing a personal office? I'm doubtful that I'm willing to.

Unfortunately, there hasn't been that best fit of a well-run office with staff I've "clicked" with doing the exact portfolio (issues) I'm most interested in. One office seemed almost perfect, except for the reputation of one LA (legislative assistant, who manages a portfolio and supervises a Fellow), who "needed anger management," according to one review. In another office, the staff seemed wonderful, had a great reputation, but wasn't working directly on the committees I had the most interest in.

The challenging part is deciding when to decide - how long to wait and keep looking, and when to say "Enough - I can get a good experience here." Some of the offices of the Senators with whom I have a strong interest haven't even responded, despite several emails, phone calls and "drop by's," giving me the impression that they're either not interested, not around, not organized, or not getting the information. I might give them one more chance early next week.

Some of my fellow Fellows already have an assignment, some are very close, some just started interviewing. Perhaps this timing depends on how much patience one has for ambiguity.

The training finished with wonderful exposure to process and resources. We learned from whip staff directors, caucus directors, staff from the CBO (Congressional Budget Office), GAO (now the Government Accountability Office - an oxymoron?), Legislative Counsel (who draft the actual bill language), ethics (don't eat sitting down, and don't do anything you wouldn't want your mother to read about in the newspaper), party leadership practices (taking one on the chin) and lobbying (see "ethics").

Fortunately, a friend called yesterday with an extra ticket to the Rutgers/Georgetown women's basketball game, which was a welcomed diversion to all this Congressional immersion. Hoofed it over there in 30 minutes, lots of stair climbing once on campus, and Rutgers won by 10 (points).

Also had a chance between interviews to stop into the U.S. Botanical Gardens, right next to the Capitol (that was good planning on someone's part), and smell the roses. Frankly, I didn't see any roses (they're near the White House, and actually behind the Treasury Building), but Idid enhale wonderful hyacinth, mints, and other flora fragrances. A welcomed break between interviews, and for this astrological "earth sign," nice to be in a natural environment. The Congressional Office buildings are lots of marble and security, which can wear on the knees and the psyche.

I'm pretty sure I've selected my assignment of choice, but want to give those other Senate offices that one last chance to connect before accepting that offer.

With training over, I'm heading down to visit family in Florida and celebrate my husband's birthday - all a welcome break. Maybe the aha moment will come when I'm not ruminating about it.