Can I get an entry-level job in D.C.?

July 11, 2009 9:24 PM

Do I have a chance of making it in D.C.? I'm a recent college grad with no political resume and a pretty meager amount of work experience, but I'm smart, have great references/recommendations, and am not particularly picky about where I work.

Like most of my ilk (recent liberal arts college grads) I'm a little worried about hurling myself into a competitive job market, and I realize that D.C. is one of the most competitive out there for young professionals. I'd ultimately like to go to graduate school for political science, but my undergraduate didn't have majors, so besides having performed well academically I don't have much there to leverage into a job. My ultimate career goal is to become a foreign service officer, but for the time being I'm interested in working at other federal agencies (DHS, for example), nonprofits, or think tanks. Basically, any entry-level position that's even remotely related to public policy is what I'm looking for, so I can build up a resume and gain some real experience before I head out for more school in a year or two.

I have enough money saved up to move and live for three months. This is a pretty big gamble for me (since I'd be using up all my savings), so I figured I'd pick the hive mind for my chances. Am I being hopelessly naive in thinking I'll find a job as a secretary at a federal agency or nonprofit? If all goes according to plan I'll be out there within a month, and I've heard that when the interns leave, those sorts of things tend to open up. Is it true?

posted by libertypie to work & money (20 comments total)

Oh, I don't see why you couldn't get an entry-level gig. Getting a federal job can take a while, though. Try jobsthatareLeft for Dem/liberal job opportunities. The economy in DC is less bad than other places, actually. The thing is, I don't know about counting on the precise kind of job you want. Lots of people are coming in idealistic like that with excellent undergrad records, and get told, you need at least a master's to do anything related to policy. If you want to work at a think tank or nonprofit that does policy stuff you're interested in, well, check the website for openings but you might be looking more at office staff, unless you have tech skills. You might be better off looking for a job that gives you practical work experience at something like writing, editing, web stuff, fundraising, communications, whether or not the organization does policy.

DC is also unfortunately expensive but a lot of young people here just live in group houses, which are usually pretty reasonable. I guess Columbia Heights is where many live these days.

Um, I do agree with working for a time before jumping into grad school in political science. Now that is a field that.. does not offer a lot in terms of available jobs. Have a friend with a poly-sci PhD who's become.. a bit disillusioned, since, and only able to find time-limited appointments to teach instead of tenure-track. Public policy degrees would be useful, though, if that's what you want to do.
posted by citron at 10:06 PM on July 11

Also a lot of internships are unpaid, especially in this economy. Have you tried checking for fellow alumni of your school on LinkedIn or Facebook to see where they're connected? That helps. If you really want to get into politics specifically consider doing work for a campaign, which may not be near DC, or working at other jobs while you're in DC and volunteering at a campaign in your free time (which will, of course, involve sh!t work like phone banking). You might also look at Americorps positions around here, I don't know what's available on that front.

Oh and if you get to the interview/job offer phase, don't tell people you're possibly going to bail in a year for school!

And to be all cynical about this city.. being smart with good references = tons of people here; being connected and not exceptionally smart and employed at an organization others would envy = shit tons of people here.
posted by citron at 10:15 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]

@citron Yeah, I'm not at all expecting to work on actual policy anywhere, I was just hoping I could find a job filing/answering phones/summarizing reports at an organization that does so I could see how things run and gain some practical experience.

And as for the cynical bit, that's kind of what I figured. At least I'll be in good company?
posted by libertypie at 10:23 PM on July 11

@citron Oh, and thanks!
posted by libertypie at 10:24 PM on July 11

You can probably find something on idealist. The problem is that the majority of jobs you'd probably be able to get probably will not pay enough for you to survive in the city. DC is CRAZY expensive. I'm not sure about group homes, as citron suggested.

It is true, people in this town w/o masters degrees are secretaries (if they are lucky) or retail workers. Ok, maybe that's a bit cynical. It is very competitive, and who you know counts for more than what you know.

If it were me, I'd try to get some experience elsewhere in a less competitive (public policy/service-wise) market and then come back here for grad school, where cost of living will be more manageable, you'll have less need for a full-time paying gig, and there will be more internship opportunities that might be more prestigious or more interesting than entry-level work at a federal agency, nonprofit or thinktank.

Alternatively, you could come to DC and try to get an internship (though that might be hard if you aren't affiliated with a college/university), and plan to work retail/hospitality (though this is also a competitive, tight market, based on recent stories on WTOP). Once the internship ends, you can try to leverage the connections made there to get a full-time job at an interesting agency/organization.
posted by necessitas at 10:52 PM on July 11

You can get your foot in lots of doors with Politemps.

"PoliTemps provides access and opportunities to Washington's finest consultants, PR firms, nonprofits and lobbying firms. Whether just off the farm, or a seasoned political operative, PoliTemps Placement & Recruiting team knows your goals, your dreams, and how to help you achieve them."
posted by aquafortis at 11:27 PM on July 11

@necessitas Yeah, that's another option I'm considering. Thank you!

@aquafortis I looked at Politemps, and it seemed like they weren't interested in anyone who didn't have a field-specific degree. I was still going to give it a shot, though.
posted by libertypie at 11:34 PM on July 11

If you want to make it work, I don't see any reason why you'll fail. DC is a very expensive city, but the job market is also a lot better than most of the country.

Definitely do a group house. In fact, MeFi mail me if you want the name of my old landlord. I lived in a fantastic 7 bedroom row house in an "up and coming" neighborhood when I first moved to DC for about 1/2 to 1/3 the going rate for a studio apartment.

Worst case you could work fundraising for the DNC or Save the Children or one of those other groups. It's crappy work, commission-based but it's always there.
posted by meta_eli at 11:51 PM on July 11

Oh and if you want to work for the gov't, the more years you can get in there, the better. I assume you know about www.usajobs.gov already, right?
posted by meta_eli at 11:52 PM on July 11

I just graduated and moved to DC with two friends. I had something lined up, but neither of them did. It took about a month, but they both found pretty decent jobs at law firms- they both want to go to law school.

How name-brand is your school? Does it have a good alumni network? Though you don't have a major per se, what is your degree in / what did you focus on? This information will get you better answers...

Also, DC is not that expensive if you spend wisely. Rent will eat up a lot of your paycheck, but unless you're partying all the time, you can live modestly for reasonable amounts. Just keep a budget and get cozy with rice and beans.
posted by charmcityblues at 8:34 AM on July 12

Group houses are definitely the way to go--you'll save money, plus you'll meet similarly-minded people who can give you heads-ups about job openings where they work. Look for group house opportunities in Mount Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Dupont, Petworth, U Street, Shaw. Those are the areas where you'll find most of the folks your age/working in your intended industry.

People above are correct that the job outlook in DC isn't nearly as bad as it is in other cities, and it sounds like you have exactly the right attitude. Recent college grads are in for disappointment if they move to DC expecting to get a fancy policy job right away, but if you're willing to start from the bottom (filing, answering phones, etc) then there is a lot of room to move up in the organization as long as you're good at what you do, friendly, and show initiative.

MeFi mail me if you have more specific questions (I spent a few years out of college living in DC, and now split my time between DC and Philly), but I think that as long as you're not picky then you can make it work.
posted by ethorson at 8:36 AM on July 12

Lived and worked in DC in politics for two years. I got out as quickly as I could, but it's a good place to start out your career if you want to get some political/policy experience under your belt. Some thoughts:

- You definitely have the right attitude, and this will take you far and help make up for your lack of experience.

- If you are looking for an entry level job, you really have to be there. I know people who got entry level jobs in DC (actually, including me!) in DC without being there, but we all had a ton of sub-entry-level experience (academic background, internships, volunteering on campaigns, etc). In your case, you'll want to be there.

- Once you get there, network like crazy. DemocraticGAIN (if you're a progressive), the New Organizer Insititute, and other groups regularly have trainings in DC. Go to those. Other groups are constantly sponsoring happy hours and networking events or brownbag lunch talks. Go to those too. Meet lots of people, and make sure to mention you're looking for a job. In a polite, non-beggy way, of course. This would be sort of obnoxious almost anywhere else, but it's totally acceptable in DC.

- Network like crazy before you get there. Try to find as many people you know, or that your friends/professors/family members know who work in policy in DC. Set up informational interviews when you get there. One thing I've discovered is that most people do like to help those who are just starting out. Show them your resume, ask their advice, and of course, ask them to let you know if they hear of any jobs.

- At this point, I would apply for federal jobs, but don't expect too much there. There are still some Obama staffers that are waiting to get hired, and they're probably in line ahead of you. And that process takes forever, anyway.

- Without a doubt, go the group house route. You probably won't be able to afford anything else anyway, and it's a good way to meet people. Even in a run-down group house, you will probably spend $700-900/month on rent.
posted by lunasol at 8:38 AM on July 12 [1 favorite]

One more thing: you know about the Pickering Fellowship, right? If you decide you do want to go the Foreign Service/grad school route, definitely apply: they pay for your grad school and in return you spend three years as a Foreign Service Officer. Pretty great deal.
posted by lunasol at 8:40 AM on July 12

Here is a list of sites/listservs for DC (mostly Capitol Hill) jobs - the Manatos listserv was a favorite of mine when jobhunting. I also like the Emily's List job bank and Democratic GAIN for more campaign-oriented jobs. Also keep in mind that it's election year in Virginia, so the governor/lieutenant governor/attorney general/state delegate races may be hiring - if you can score a campaign job in Northern Virginia, you're at least close to DC and making some good connections (personally I had a miserable time as a campaign staffer, but I don't entirely want to discourage you - let's just say it's not for everyone).

It's often hard to get started in DC if you aren't able to take an unpaid internship for at least a few months first. If you can afford to do this, it's probably the best way for you to get your foot in the door. However, I also think that lots of job-seekers in DC are way too obsessed with being on Capitol Hill (i.e. ridiculously qualified people applying for internships because they're so desperate to get in somehow) , so it's good to see that you're open to various federal agencies, think tanks, nonprofits, etc., where you might have a better chance of getting an actual job

Here's my experience so far (3 years out of college): polisci major with no political experience --> campaign volunteer --> campaign intern --> entry-level Hill staffer --> entry-level campaign staffer --> low/mid-level Hill staffer. Just as a reference point.

I don't think your goal is unreasonable, especially since you're willing to do grunt work (which in my book puts you head and shoulders above the kids who think they are sooooo above answering phones and sorting mail and if you hire them will just moan incessantly about how no one appreciates their brilliant policy insights - anything that hints at this personality type is a huge red flag when I interview potential interns). Also, I love DC and think it is a terrifically fun (although admittedly expensive - sigh) place for young people to live. Good luck!
posted by naoko at 8:55 AM on July 12

Just as a data point: I live in D.C. It took me a good year of hard looking to get a job. I have about 5 friends who have currently been looking for work for over six months. Two have been laid off recently.

The job market is not shiny right now, despite what people have said above. If you want to come, make sure you have something lined up. Temping used to be the way in, but none of the temp agencies are even hiring right now.
posted by General Malaise at 10:58 AM on July 12

Thanks for the thoughtful responses so far, everyone! I'm feeling encouraged... with reservations.

@naoko I do have enough money saved to do a few months of an unpaid internship, but as far as I know most of the decent ones had an application deadline of July 1st. (I'm sort of center-learning... not enough to be an ideologue, but enough to be looking at places like the Cato Institute and IHS). Plus, since I'm not really interested in "politics" per se (like being a hill intern), but more interested in the defense/diplomacy thing, I feel like that might not be my best bet. Do you think I should look around for some late-admitting ones anyhow?

@General Malaise Sweet name! Also, so, none of the temp agencies are hiring at all, not even the non-political ones like Kelly Services? Are you and your friends looking for higher-level jobs than I am, or pretty similar?

@lunasol Yeah, I was intending to apply for a Pickering Fellowship. Thanks for all the advice! There's definitely a couple of bar nights I'm intending to go to, and I do have a couple of friends there, though most of them are from the area and living with parents.

@charmcityblues My only real job experience so far has been interning at law office, so I figure worst come to worst I'll just do something like that. My school is definitely not a "name" school... it has a reputation among academics and a campus in Annapolis nearby as well as where I go (hint, hint), but there are no majors at all and absolutely nothing directly relevant to public policy is taught there.
posted by libertypie at 12:51 PM on July 12

@libertypie: Ahhh, St. John's! Got it. Still, there are some alumni who work in DC. I know that much.

Anyway, something I noticed from your comments: you say that you'd line up with Cato/IHS as far as ideology goes. Those of you now living in DC feel free to comment, but if you're looking to work in DC, it might be tough to land a gig, since conservatives/libertarians are on the outs right now, and that's where Cato and IHS are located on the spectrum. Spoils of victory and all that.

You probably wouldn't be a fit for NOI or DemGain, since they're a bit more left-leaning than you claim to be, nor would you align with JobsThatAreLeft.

Just a thought - I wish you luck! :-).
posted by arkhangel at 2:22 PM on July 12

Heh, shame on me for assuming a liberal bent just because you're on MeFi. I agree with arkhangel that it's a rough time for non-Democrats to be looking for work in DC. I wouldn't completely write off the Hill (I'm more of a foreign policy type myself, and planning to go to grad school for that eventually), but it may not be the best fit - I just talked about it because it's what I'm most familiar with, but it sounds like think tanks might be more your thing. For what it's worth, I think that people who are in the know about intellectual things are generally impressed with Johnnies and won't hold your lack of a traditional major against you.
Another favorite jobs board of mine is the Foreign Policy Association - a lot of it is overseas, but there are some DC-based listings.
I also want to second everything lunasol said about networking. A big part of how I got my job was just being luckily in the right place at the right time and going to the right receptions and alumni events and such. If you have any shame at all about working your connections (however tenuous they may be), now is the time to get over it.
posted by naoko at 2:40 PM on July 12

You are almost guaranteed not to get an actual federal government job in 3 months. The process almost always takes longer than that. Unless you've done secretarial work before, you're probably not qualified for most federal government secretarial jobs, they tend to require experience rather than degrees. You should be looking for GS-5 or GS-7 jobs (if you got over a 3.0 GPA or placed in the top third of your class.) You may have it tough, because you don't have any specific subject matter background. You don't need to be in DC to apply for federal jobs there, but you do need to be able to show up for interviews there.

I've been offered three civil service jobs (one as an alternate). The fastest was about three months. This is considered by my coworkers to be incredibly, almost unheard of, speed. There were special circumstances (end of the budget year). The others offers took much longer. I stopped applying for federal jobs in August of last year. I received initial responses to some of those applications as late as April of this year.

It matters what your meager work experience is. Was any of it internships? Secretarial? Paralegal? Journalism?

I posted on other resources for DC jobs seekers here.

If you want to be a foreign service officer, you should probably try to do three things: live and work overseas, learn a foreign language (preferably a non-European language), and get a graduate degree. It would also be good to have several years of work experience, but that may not be as important as the above. Also key to getting into the foreign service is being willing to select one of the less selective specialties. When I applied as a college junior I came within three-percent of the cutoff score on the oral boards. This was partly because I was consular track. Some of the folks taking the oral boards with me who were on the political officer track were Ph.D.'s, lawyers, local elected officials, folks who'd interviewed with the CIA clandestine service, etc. I hadn't yet graduated from college.

What's your current situation? Do you already have a job somewhere else? Depending on your grades, you may be better off just applying for graduate school now. Some programs in the areas your interested in admit students to begin in the spring, for instance the Security Studies MA program at Georgetown and, I believe, the CUNY International Relations Master's program.

There's some good info on DC job-seeking here from Heritage (which applies even to non-conservatives). The only major change I'd add is that the Leadership Institute doesn't seem to be as influential anymore.

As you may know, the legal industry is hurting as well. Many of the New York law firms for instance have had layoffs of support staff and even lawyers. A couple of firms have liquidated.

If you have parents you can live with and you're family is located in a decent sized city, especially a state capitol (Richmond) or quasi capital (Philly), you may not have much advantage in DC at the present moment for your long term goals especially if your parents can subsidize your costs living at home. (Until you find a job that is). Or if you already have a half-way decent job somewhere else in the country.
posted by Jahaza at 11:09 PM on July 12

@naoko Heh, no problem. I'm not opposed to working for/with democrats, I just probably wouldn't want to join a super-partisan organization and definitely couldn't see myself canvassing for one. Sometimes I can count on a decent level of respect for Johnnies, but there's also the "isn't that in New Jersey?" factor. Thanks for the encouragement!

@Jahaza Yeah, I figured the federal jobs would take a while, but I'm willing to spend up to a couple years off if the right sort of opportunity comes along. I intend to go to graduate school, and I know that working abroad and language-learning is fundamental to becoming a foreign service officer. I'm trying to work now so I can get into the right program and then use the resources of whatever graduate institution I'm at to do those things, though I'm also considering doing language study in the meantime. I figure with my qualifications (or lack thereof), it'd be easier for me to get my foot in the door state-side than elsewhere. Have I got things in the wrong order? I'm a little bit hesitant about what my first steps should be, but I figured there wasn't necessarily one right way.

My current situation isn't really conducive to getting any kind of relevant work at all, and unfortunately for me, my parents live in the sticks, so I couldn't defray living expenses while living with them and hope to build up any sort of work experience.

Thanks for the advice!
posted by libertypie at 12:44 AM on July 13