Falling in love with the nation’s capital

By Jennifer Durham ‘10 - Organizational Communication major

For quite some time, I have dreamed of living and working in the nation’s capital. This summer, my dream came true as I was able to complete a 10-week internship with Sutter’s Mill Fund Raising & Strategy, a small office located near Capitol Hill.

Sutter’s Mill Fund Raising & Strategy does election consulting and political action committee fundraising for sixteen House Democrats. Their clients include representatives from a wide range of congressional districts. Sutter’s Mill works very closely with campaigns, congressional staff, and a wide range of lobbyists. They combine fundraising and consulting under one roof to give their clients a one-of-a-kind experience.

In my first week at Sutter’s Mill, I had the privilege of meeting the House Majority Leader, Steny H. Hoyer. The first sentence he said to me was “Hi Jenny, I’m Steny.” I also met the DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen and had the honor of meeting and working with sixteen Members of Congress.

It was an incredibly exciting time to be in Washington, D.C. With the congressional races of 2010 quickly approaching, a new presidential administration underway, and plenty of sweeping changes brewing in the legislature, I found myself right in the middle of D.C. political life. Even after being in D.C. for several weeks, I still got chills every time I walked by the Capitol.

Throughout the summer, I assisted with the planning and implementation of more than twenty fund raising events. I had a very active role in planning fundraisers by conversing with catering specialists, reserving rooms, and coordinating the event down to the very last detail. It was incredible to be able to see the end result of all my hard work. I also attended several Meet & Greet gatherings that allow government relation chairs from various lobbying organizations to learn more about the Congressmen or women they support.

In addition to planning events for clients, I spent time researching Political Action Committees and affiliated lobbyists in the Washington, D.C. area. I used a program called the National Geographical and Political Software Program for Democratic Fund Raisers to enter contributions for our clients, record statistical data, update lobbyists, and write memos to Members of Congress.

Another exciting aspect of my internship was being able to use my creativity to produce event invitations, member cards for clients, and design Sutter’s Mill’s first company name tags. At my internship, I learned to pay close attention to details, manage time carefully, work effectively with others, and develop better communication skills. I was able to develop contacts with many of Washington’s political insiders.

Leaving Washington, D.C. was bittersweet to say the least. I learned more in D.C. than I ever could have imagined. I gained valuable real world experience, networked with many influential individuals, and made wonderful memories. I truly fell in love with the nation’s capitol and I hope to move back after graduation and become a true Washingtonian.