New Topics and Old Friends

The goal of the orientation has always been threefold: to introduce Fellows to the legislative process and current policy concerns; to give them a feel of the unique atmosphere of the Hill; and to put them in touch with alumni who can help them navigate the experience of being a Fellow. A small sampling of this year's topics reflected these goals:

• Implications of the 2004 Elections
• The Role of House and Senate Staff
• Getting the Most out of Being a Fellow
• Electioneering, Lobbying, and Legislating
• The Historical Symbiosis of Congress and the Press Galleries
• Assessing the Foreign Policy Landscape
• Do Deficits and Budget Make a Difference?
• Health Issues in Congress
• Public Policy: A Think Tank Perspective

Speakers included such program stalwarts as Advisory Committee Chair Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute (CFP 1969–1970), Walter Beach of the Helen Dwight Reid Educational Foundation, former CFP Director Tom Mann of the Brookings Institute (CFP 1969–1970), Chris Deering of George Washington University (CFP 1984–1985), James Thurber of American University (CFP 1973–1974), Alan Romberg of the Stimson Center (CFP 1974–1975), Advisory Committee Member Richard Cohen of the National Journal, Paul Herrnson of the University of Maryland (CFP 1989–1990), and former Foreign Affairs Seminar Director Fred Holborn of SAIS, to name but a few. While not as closely affiliated with the program, Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report, Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times, Karen O'Connor of American University, and Donald Ritchie of the Senate Historical Office have become orientation traditions in their own right.

Capitalizing on the successful relationships cultivated by last year's Fellows, we also invited several new House and Senate staff members to speak on panels. Despite the busy pull of a drawn-out appropriations process, the following congressional offices spared staff: Representatives David Price (D-NC), David Obey (D-WI), Michael Oxley (R-OH), Christopher Shays (R-CT), and Dennis Hastert (R-IL); and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Bill Frist (R-TN), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). Last but not least, Fellows were treated to remarks from a number of recent but increasingly prominent alumni, including Ben Brown of FDIC (CFP 2000–2001), Lynne Weil of the House International Relations Committee (CFP 1999–2000), Frances Lee of the University of Maryland (CFP 2002–2003), Arthur Burris of the House Budget Committee (CFP 2000–2001), and Daniel Parks of Congressional Quarterly (CFP 1997–1998).

2004–2005 Congressional Fellows pose on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Luckily, no evidence of the ongoing construction is visible.

These panels were supplemented by informal luncheons with guest speakers that were specially tailored to each Fellow's interests: a Federal Fellows lunch, a Journalists lunch, a Political Scientists lunch, and a Foreign Affairs Fellows lunch. The noticeable absence among these groups, of course, was an International Fellows lunch; this took place before the start of the official orientation. During their separate, two-day International Orientation, scholars and journalists from China, India, Mexico, the Czech Republic, and Germany met individuals from their sponsoring agencies and received a comprehensive introduction to the U.S. legislative branch by John Haskell of the Georgetown Government Affairs Institute (CFP 1997–1998).

Stepping Out

Fresh carpet and new wiring notwith-standing, the Fellows took a measure of relief in occasionally escaping their seats for brief excursions away from SAIS. Among the speakers gracious enough to host the Fellows for a talk were Marie Michnich of the Institute of Medicine (CFP 1984–1985), Advisory Committee Member Gary Hymel of Hill & Knowlton, Brian Lamb of C-SPAN, and Mike Franc of the Heritage Foundation. Fellows enjoyed these visits immensely and appreciated the speakers for being “straight talkers.” Finally, the fellowship owes a particular debt of gratitude to Steve Livengood of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society for leading Fellows on several lengthy, expert tours of the Hill—with nothing more than a traditional CFP mug as thanks.

More Than Meets the Eye

One of the unadvertised highlights of the orientation is the traditional “Introduction Session,” when each Fellow is assigned to interview and then introduce another Fellow before the group. This gives everyone a chance to get to know one another as individuals, rather than just colleagues—not to mention alleviate the burden of having to sit still for so long. These introductions help the class bond and often as not provide conversation fodder for happy hours to come.

Some of the more memorable introductions arise from simple miscommunications between the recently arrived International Fellows and their American counterparts. For example, one of this year's Fulbright Fellows from India, Medha Nanivadekar, whose English is superb, nevertheless found herself unable to completely hear her interviewee's softspoken words. When the latter described her experience as a reporter for the Oregonian in Poland, it was all Medha could do to understand why Polish people were concerned at all with the goings-on of the state Oregon. Nearly at the end of the interview, Medha realized that the other Fellow had said “Portland,” not “Poland.” This cleared things up considerably.

In another year and another class, a highly comical situation took place when a Korean Fellow sponsored by the Asia Foundation asked her counterpart, also a journalist, why she had come to the fellowship. Tongue-in-cheek, and perhaps to shock her demure interviewer, the journalist replied, “To find a man!” To her great surprise, when Duck Weon Suh wrapped up her introduction, she pointed to the journalist and requested in a calm voice that eligible men of the group please contact her. This year, among the interesting things learned during the introductions:

• Three Fellows are Native American;
• One Fellow was the first in his family to graduate from college, not to mention receive his doctorate;
• One Fellow always brings a flashlight to hotels in the event of a fire drill;
• One Fellow has toured with a punk/ska band as a drummer;
• One Fellow has a Ph.D., an M.D. and an M.P.H;
• One Fellow is an avid gardener;
• One Fellow's father twice entered the U.S. illegally and was eventually awarded a green card;
• One Fellow has covered stories in Rwanda, Kosovo, Iraq, and Kuwait; and
• One Fellow has written a novel (accepted for publication).

Thus the orientation not only filled Fellows with factual knowledge, but also gave them a chance to begin building the long-lasting personal networks for which the fellowship is best known.

Advanced Preparation at CRS

Following the general orientation sessions at SAIS, Fellows participated in intensive, two half-day and two full-day sessions on advanced legislative procedure. Open only to staff and Members, the Institute is organized by the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service and taught by staff specialists, including longtime favorites Walter Oleszek, Lou Fisher, and Judy Schneider. In the words of one political scientist, whom the author caught dazedly trying to select fish at the grocery store following one such session: “I consider myself fairly well-informed on these topics but that last session—I did not understand a thing.” Thus, although many of the orientation sessions were designed to orient newcomers to Congress, the CRS seminars proved challenging even for seasoned political scientists. As a testament to the benefits of a hands-on learning experience, much of the procedural information presented in the CRS seminars, so convoluted now, will seem like old hat by the end of the year.

The Paradox of the Assignment Search: Anxiety Leads to Success

Unlike other fellowship programs, CFP does not choose assignments for its Fellows. Rather, that process is left to them with the understanding that interviewing carries its own educational benefits and rewards. More importantly, it allows Fellows to tailor their assignments to their interests. The search is by tradition a process fraught with anxiety. Each class represents some 40 individuals with impressive credentials who may not have had to apply for a job in years. It is often a troubling mystery to them why it is so difficult to obtain a job for free. As Fellows, they must condense their lengthy CVs into the crisp, one-page resumes preferred on the Hill and tailor their professional skills to appeal to the needs of the offices. Then, they must write informed cover letters, a process that seems to cause much gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair, based on the observations of CFP staff. The small room at the end of the hall that serves as the Fellows' Office is usually filled with individuals typing emails, conducting interviews by phone, and researching offices in various CQ staff directories.

Despite the intensity of the search, however, Fellows begin to get a sense of what they are seeking and are able to find the perfect fit between the office's needs and their own interests. In many cases, when a Fellow tells us where he or she has taken an assignment, the choice seems logical and one we almost might have predicted. In other cases, Fellows take assignments with an office that has never participated in the fellowship before, which always presents an exciting moment. Much like the previous year, this year's Fellows continue to surprise us with the depth and diversity of their search. Not surprisingly, a good number have sought positions in leadership offices. At the same time, the new names appearing on the list indicate that Fellows have been doing their homework on which offices to work for.

Fellows Cast Wide Nets

To assist the Fellows the CFP staff draw up an anonymous grid so that Fellows can get a big picture of where the greatest interest lies, on the part of both the Fellows and the offices. In cases where there are clearly eight or more Fellows inquiring after a Member, it also encourages Fellows to keep their prospects open. At the moment of writing, 65 Senate personal offices and seven Senate committee offices and 64 House personal offices and nine House committee offices have received resumes. Without a doubt, there are others that have yet to be reported. Because our list of accepted assignments is still incomplete, it will be published in the April issue of PS. In the meanwhile, the simmering self-doubt that signals the start of the assignment search has gradually been replaced with a burgeoning confidence as Fellows put down roots on the Hill.

Keeping in Touch

In the meanwhile, we very much need updates from former Fellows who suspect their contact information may be out of date. You may update your profile on the web site, www.cfpnet.org. Alternately, you may send your name, fellowship year, work and home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and office assignments to either cfp@apsanet.org or to APSA Congressional Fellowship Program, 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. We are also happy to accept updates or whereabouts of alumni, which we will soon begin posting on our web site.

As in the past, contributions of $50 or more will land you a 50^th Anniversary mug, which orientation speakers have commented as being very handsome. In addition you will also receive a complimentary copy of A Congress of Fellows: Fifty Years of the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program. The 200-page chronicle, written by Jeff Biggs, draws heavily on little-known anecdotes provided by a number of long-time supporters. Since printing was rushed for distribution at the Annual Meeting, the history should be considered a “work in progress” and will be revised for a later edition.

The Congressional Fellowship Program continues to benefit from the generosity of MCI, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the William E. Steiger trust, and the annual contributions of program alumni.