Thursday, September 6, 2007
In her office about seven blocks from the White House, Karen Bentley, 2007 graduate, was once fascinated with the view of passing motorcades. Now, like other Washington locals, Bentley thinks the motorcades are annoying and distracting.
Sara Belfry, a 2007 KU graduate in political science, stands in front of the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C last March. Belfry will begin to work for a litigation company, Digital Evidence Group LLC, in Washington D.C. this September.
Bentley is a research associate for the polling company inc., owned by political strategist Kellyanne Conway. Bentley is one of many KU alumni who recently moved from the top of the Hill to Capitol Hill in Washington.
Brandon Bohning, 2007 graduate, works as a staff assistant to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. He said his job allowed him to meet public figures who he used to only see on television. Bohning said when he visited with them it was exciting to have his opinion matter just as much as theirs.
“There’s never a dull moment,” Bohning said. “For a political junkie like me, this is where it’s all happening.”
Sara Belfry, 2007 graduate, will begin working Monday as a litigation support assistant for Digital Evidence Group LLC. She said she was thrilled to land her dream job and live in the city.
“It’s such a great experience to be in your 20s, living in D.C.,” Belfry said.
The excitement doesn’t come without the challenges of transitioning from a college student to professional.
Belfry said she missed the relaxed atmosphere of college. She said she realized that her work now reflected on her company, and not her personally. In Washington, she said she felt the responsibility to act and look professional.
“My clothes are definitely more expensive,” Belfry said. “And I miss the lifestyle of being able to take a nap in the afternoon.”
As a staff assistant, Bohning said his job required him to always be informed. He watches more news, reads and writes blogs, and constantly checks his e-mail. Bohning also deals with constituent calls, which sometimes requires patience.
“A lot of people are really nice,” Bohning said. “But I can count on two a day that just don’t care and say mean things, but it’s my job to listen.”
Bentley said although she felt more responsibility, she had less going on since her involvement in college. She finds the distance from friends and family challenging.
The cost of living is also a cultural shock. Bohning said living in Alexandria, Va., the community with the nation’s fourth highest cost of living, was a challenge. He said everything in Alexandria cost at least 30 percent more than in Lawrence. Bentley said she wasn’t prepared for the high rent payments after depending on academic scholarships as a student. Bohning said he still enjoyed going out, especially with the D.C. nightlife, but it was more difficult to balance how he spent his money.
The graduates credit their Washington jobs to connections from the University. Bohning said professor Burdett Loomis’ congress class and internships through the political science department had been valuable experiences. Bentley worked at the Dole Institute and met her future employer, Kellyanne Conway, when Conway was a guest for the 2006 Presidential Lecture series.
Loomis, professor of political science, said internships and campaigns provided the best experience and connections. He said students should get their foot in the door, and work hard even if it was just volunteering.
“It’s important to develop your skills and have something to market,” Loomis said. “And remember, no one gets rich on Capitol Hill when they’re 23.”
Loomis said the fast pace of life in Washington wasn’t for everyone.
“After awhile people get the sense of whether they want to hang around,” Loomis said. “You have to go in and expect the unexpected.”
— Edited by Meghan Murphy
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