Glenview, Illinois Student Interns In Durbin's Washington, DC Senate Office
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Glenview native Irina Bajic spent two months this summer interning for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), working behind the scenes in the Senator’s Capitol Hill office. Each year, close to 50 interns work in Durbin’s Washington, D.C., office. Interns process constituent requests, help with legislative duties, and lead Capitol tours for Illinois residents visiting Washington. During that time, they gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process, learn about the inner-workings of the federal government, and develop valuable research skills.
“Forty-five years ago, I started my career on Capitol Hill as a college intern for Senator Paul Douglas (D-IL),” Senator Durbin said. “I will never forget that day in February of 1966 when he agreed to hire me as an intern to work in his office. It was one of the most exciting things I had ever done; a student from East St. Louis, Illinois was going to work in the office of a U.S. Senator. I know what a valuable experience it can be and we strive to make sure all of our students get a glimpse into the workings of the United States Senate.”
Bajic recently graduated from Lake Forest College with a double major in International Relations and Politics and a minor in Spanish. After having gained experience working in Senator Durbin’s Chicago office last year, she plans to pursue her political interests in Washington, D.C. at the conclusion of her current internship.
“Working with Senator Durbin’s press team has given me great insight into how politics works when the media is involved,” said Bajic. “Senator Durbin’s office has challenged me to learn what types of responsibilities are necessary both inside and outside the professional office. That is something that I can take with me everywhere I go in life.”
The internship program is designed to provide interns with experience in the core functions of a Senate office and allow them to gain a better understanding of the federal legislative process. Their responsibilities include assisting full-time staff in responding to various constituent requests, assisting with information inquiries, attending committee and agency hearings and briefings, researching legislative issues and policy questions, observing floor proceedings, and attending meetings related to specific legislation.