Each year, hundreds of young leaders come to The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) seeking an unforgettable experience in the nation’s capital. They leave not only with a renewed understanding of liberty and leadership, but also a wealth of knowledge on networking and professional development.

Integral to this knowledge are the TFAS alumni who volunteer their time to serve as mentors, guest speakers and small group hosts to give students an inside look at Washington’s top organizations.

Last month, Capital Semester students met virtually with TFAS alumni volunteers for an informative panel on finding a job in Washington, D.C.

TFAS alumni in attendance were attorney at the Department of the Interior, Molly Nixon ’03, political journalist and podcast producer, Steff Thomas ’13, and program coalitions coordinator at the Leadership Institute, Ben Woodward, PPF ’19.

Observe how they treat you, observe the atmosphere in the office, and get a sense as to whether or not this is somewhere you’re going to be happy and where you’ll progress as a professional.” – Ben Woodward, PPF ’19

An expert in training young leaders in workshops and seminars at the Leadership Institute, Woodward opened the discussion with interview advice for the group, sharing that the key to a successful career with a company or organization starts in the interview room.

“Go in there and observe how they treat you, observe the atmosphere in the office, and get a sense as to whether or not this is somewhere you’re going to be happy and where you’ll progress as a professional,” Woodward said.

Director of Journalism + Communications and U.S. Programs Joe Starrs reiterated the importance of a successful interview. He shared that what students entering the workforce may lack in experience can be made up for with enthusiasm and hard work.

“If you prove that you’re a go-getter, that will compensate for any lack of experience,” Starrs said.

During the session, students asked engaging questions and received valuable advice on resumes, networking and interviewing from the alumni volunteers.

TFAS is grateful to these alumni and the countless others who give back to students to make our programs a success each semester.

Spring Capital Semester students will continue to have access to more networking and professional development seminars later this month, including a briefing on Capitol Hill and a session on “Building Your Brand.”