Library of Congress

Intern

June - August 2022 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The staff was extremely kind and informative about not only the library but the US government in general

What I wish was different

It being virtual was extremely helpful for my situation at the moment but would have been better in person

Advice

Communication is extremely important and expressing when you have questions will only make you better and more helpful as an intern

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Employee Development Programs Intern

June - August 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked how the people I worked with were so welcoming and nice. They gave me great tasks to complete that helped shape the workers at the Library.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have networked a little more with the workers,

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask for more tasks to complete. Use your strengths to cater to your assignments

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Project Management Intern

June - August 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked the Breadth approach that was use during my internship. I got a wide overview of IT as a whole versus a more focus view in one area.

What I wish was different

I wish I could of done more hands on, meaningful work.

Advice

No matter what you do during your internship, everything is a learning opportunity.

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research intern

June - August 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

What I wish was different

I wish I had had the opportunity to do this internship in person rather than virtually. As per university restrictions and library restrictions, it was not possible to conduct research in person. I regret not having the opportunity to meet other interns and supervisors in person and to hand research material and artifacts by hand.

Advice

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Creative Data Intern

May - July 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

It was very interesting being able to do research with the Library of Congress and write a piece for their website. As well, being online made the internship flexible, allowing me to work a second job at a retail store.

What I wish was different

There is not much I would like to change!

Advice

I think that it's important to find a balance between life and internships -- as a student, you shouldn't try to be busy 100% of the time. Rest is important to powering your academics.

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Congressional Intern

September 2017 - January 2018 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Fingerprint techniques

What I wish was different

Longer Internships

Advice

There is no room for fear.

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Employee Development Programs Intern

June - August 2021 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The inclusivity, actually utilizing my own creativity on projects and the work environment, despite it being online.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more communication between the other interns and also the LOC employees

Advice

Don’t be afraid to connect with others!

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copyright intern

July - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked earning money and the network I was able to do while interning.

What I wish was different

I wish I had worked in a field I intend on pursuing a career in.

Advice

It was very rewarding and it involved a lot of networking. I’m insecure of whether positions with the Library of Congress are offered on Handshake, but considering it is a federal organization their network is expanded to other federal organizations so it is helpful for networking purposes.

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Audio Technician Intern

June - July 2019 • Madison, VA

What I liked

Everything

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Talk to people and ask questions please

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Volunteer Intern

June - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The specifics of the job aside (which were also fascinating), it was a real privilege to work in a place so steeped in history and culture as the Library of Congress. Everyone is passionate and knowledgable about their fields, and the sky is the limit in terms of areas of focus.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Junior Fellow

May - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Being allowed to do almost anything (learning Adobe Analytics, visiting Landover, attending important meetings)

What I wish was different

I wish I had more to do. Some days were very, very slow.

Advice

Try everything... you are more than your position. Ask for things and you may be surprised!

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Junior Fellow

May - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I cannot recommend spending a summer in DC enough. There is so much to do, and the city is full of interns in the summer so it is so easy to make lasting friendships. The Library is a fantastic place to work. There are so many incredible people from all backgrounds dedicated to sharing the library's vast treasures with the public. It was a privilege and joy to experience the energy of the place. The collections are unmatched and the opportunities are endless to try all kinds of things from digital research, elementary education, technical preservation, event planning, management, and more.

What I wish was different

Advice

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FDT Intern

June - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked the work environment. The people who worked there and fellow interns were very friendly and I enjoyed working on projects with them.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

I would recommend for other people to apply to internships with government institutions.

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Junior Fellow

May - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The experience was amazing. I worked with some of the most impressive and intelligent people I’ve ever met, and they gave me meaningful work to contribute to. Highly recommend this summer program for all majors

What I wish was different

I wish they would’ve taken just a bit more time to expose interns to all aspects of the library and it’s services.

Advice

Make sure you apply for a project you’re passionate about. It’s good to step out of your comfort zone but make sure you won’t be miserable all summer (there’s really no miserable projects, anyway)

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Publishing Intern

June - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The freedom during the day. I could proofread a manuscript then go visit the Women's Suffrage exhibit if I wanted to.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Iberia/Rio Section Intern

June - August 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I was able to expand some of my projects and responsibilities which gave me a broader experience.

What I wish was different

I wish I had utilized the Library more in terms of informational interviews.

Advice

I would say that it is a great experience if you're not sure about what you want to do but want to expand key skills.

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Archives, History and Heritage Advanced Intern

February - April 2019 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I had the opportunity to work on projects that directly impact African American history and culture. The collections I worked on are used as a finding aid for all researchers interested in materials from the American Folklife Center.

What I wish was different

Advice

Take advantage of all the opportunities offered at the Library of Congress. The concert performances, research lectures and pop-up displays are important for creating a holistic internship experience.

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Government and Serial Publications Intern

June - August 2018 • Washington, DC

What I liked

I liked that I was given a lot of independence in how my internship went and that my mentor supported me a lot. I also had a lot of opportunities to learn about different facets of the Library.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have worked more with other interns because sometimes I felt lonely in an office of older people.

Advice

I would say that time management is important because you have so much independence.

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French and Italian Collections Junior Fellow

May - August 2018 • Washington, DC

What I liked

Working at the Library of Congress was an amazing experience because it really is an unparalleled institution. I loved coming into work every day to a building with so much history and story behind it. The people I worked with were wonderful and welcoming, and I didn’t feel like “just an intern.” Also, I got to make my own display for public viewing at the Library!

What I wish was different

My work was pretty much the same thing for all 10 weeks—but I was hired to work on a specific project, so I expected it. There was also a hierarchy between the paid Junior Fellows and the rest of the unpaid interns—people treated us differently because we were unspokenly a more “elite” group and we got more access to networking and other opportunities. I never would’ve interacted with other non-Junior Fellow interns if one hadn’t worked in my office, and both of us were uncomfortable with the obvious difference in treatment.

Advice

There’s so many opportunities for networking or exploring other jobs at the library; take people up on their offers! They wouldn’t be offering their help and knowledge to you if they didn’t mean it.

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Publishing Office Intern

June - August 2018 • Washington, DC

What I liked

The office's staff is warm, close-knit, professional, and hardworking. Each person I worked with showed great passion for and dedication to their job. I genuinely looked forward to work every day, partially because I found the work to be interesting and fulfilling and partially because I very much enjoyed the people I worked with. The Library also has so many amazing educational and professional opportunities, like lectures and exhibits, and staff can access these so easily.

What I wish was different

I wish my position had been a little more varied, as most of my time was dedicated to one project, but I genuinely don't have any serious complaints. The Library is a great place to work. I will say this-- I was only paid because I interned as a part of a special program; I am not sure what paid internship opportunities, if any, the Library offers.

Advice

Be open, ask questions, and utilize the knowledge and expertise of your employers. The members of the Publishing Office and the staff of the Library in general have many experiences, connections, and valuable perspectives to share, and it is worth taking time to sit down with a few different people and really talk to them.

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