United States: Aaron Stettner

Program: UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program, Fall

Majors: History; Environmental Studies

Describe your internship, research, or fieldwork and how the experience helped advance your career or studies.

I was an Operations Intern with Cornerstone Government Affairs, a bipartisan lobbying and consulting firm that works with clients in the private, non-profit, and public sectors. Some of my tasks included supporting Cornerstone’s finance team, analyzing client FEC data, and assisting with miscellaneous needs around the office. I also had the opportunity to provide support at events and fundraisers for Senators, Representatives, and other high-profile individuals. While I don’t plan to return to DC anytime soon, my experience was beyond valuable. Working in DC’s fast-paced, high-stakes environment has given me widely transferable skills that I’ll benefit from for years to come in any city or industry.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

Throughout the semester I was continuously presented with unique opportunities and wonderful experiences. While I valued the chances to meet well-known individuals, attend varied events, and tour some of the most famous buildings in the country, my favorite memories came from time spent with my roommates and other program participants. Things like playing volleyball behind the Lincoln Memorial, walking around the National Mall at night, or even staying up late to do laundry and cook dinner all brought slow-paced fun to an experience that was often fast-moving and exceptional. Being in DC during a (long) government shutdown was also somewhat of a hidden blessing: with most Smithsonian Museums and other activities closed, we were encouraged to get out of our comfort zone by exploring lesser-known destinations. Visiting places like the Phillips Collection or National Building Museum—and even just walking around new neighborhoods—was a reminder that there is so much more to DC than its major attractions.

What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?

This was easily the busiest, most tiring semester I’ve had while at UW-Madison. Balancing an internship, classes, social life, and my own personal needs was a true challenge. But being challenged is a good thing. This semester, I matured in unexpected ways and emerged from every difficult and uncomfortable situation as a more experienced person. Being a college student in DC is incredibly fun and rewarding, but it’s not always easy. Embracing the not-so-easy moments as opportunities for growth allowed me to leave this experience with much more than simply an expanded network and a boosted resume.