Intern Diary 2025
DODO partners with Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, as part of Flinders University's Washington Internship Program, which enables Australian undergraduate students to intern in the US Congress and Washington, D.C.-based think tanks, media outlets, and nonprofits. DODO provides local support and advice, organizes tours and extracurricular activities, and other services to ensure visiting students get the full U.S. internship experience.
In this post – the second in our Intern Diary series – Alyce Ferme, who is interning with Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) in the winter of 2025, challenges the common misconception that Capitol Hill interns spend most of their days answering phones and logging emails. Cross posted on Flinders University's website.
Debunking the Myth: Interning on Capitol Hill Is More Than Answering Phones
Alyce Ferme
January 31, 2025
When people hear that I am a "congressional intern," a common misconception pops up: interns just answer phones and log emails. While constituent services are an important part of the role, interning on Capitol Hill offers so much more than that.
I am interning in the office of Congressman Lloyd Doggett, representing Texas’ 37th Congressional District. As one of five Flinders University students currently (2025) completing an eight-week long internship in Washington, D.C. as part of Flinders’ Washington Internship Program, I can confidently say this experience has been nothing short of amazing.
One thing that has become clear: this internship is exactly what you make of it. The more effort, curiosity and enthusiasm you bring to the table, the richer your experience will be. The opportunities here in D.C. are vast and every day offers something new to learn and explore.
Inside the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing Room
The start of our internships on Capitol Hill has been anything but ordinary. Delayed by a snowstorm, it quickly gained momentum with historic events like President Carter’s state funeral, the certification of the 2024 election and the start of the 119th Congress.
Four Flinders interns were fortunate enough to have tickets to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration—an event that, regardless of your political stance, is historically significant. Unfortunately, due to the extreme cold gripping D.C. at the time, the ceremony was moved indoors with little public access. Instead, we gathered in the common room of our apartment building and live-streamed the inauguration.
2025 Flinders University Interns pose in front of state flags at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The first three weeks of the internship have flown by. My tasks in the office have been varied and rewarding, including:
Research Projects: I’ve dived into policy research, exploring issues that are important to constituents and Congressman Doggett’s legislative agenda. A few topic areas of specific interest to our office include immigration, education and agriculture.
Briefings and Hearings: Attending briefings and hearings has given me firsthand insight into the legislative process and the key debates shaping policy. Two particular favourites were the Committee on Ways and Means hearing on the “Trump Tax Cuts” and a briefing on Human Rights in Pakistan, plus so many more.
Networking: I’ve had the chance to connect with other interns, learning from their experiences and building relationships with peers who share similar interests.
Australian Embassy Visit: Together with the other Flinders interns, I had the opportunity to visit the Australian Embassy (see photo above), which was a moment to connect with home while immersed in U.S. politics.
While answering phones and listening to constituents’ concerns are undoubtedly interesting parts of the job, they represent only a fraction of what Hill internships entail. From witnessing the inner workings of Congress to engaging with people and ideas on a global stage, this experience is one-of-a-kind.
Interning on Capitol Hill isn’t just about being an “intern”; it’s about seizing every opportunity, staying engaged and soaking in the unique environment of Washington, D.C. For me, these first three weeks have been eye-opening, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the internship holds.