Before coming to GW, I never truly comprehended what GW students meant when they spoke of the suffocating internship culture at the University. But once I arrived, it immediately became clear: Students will do anything to build their resume. Securing an internship in politics has gotten harder recently after executive actions, including the mass firings of federal employees or the various regulatory freezes that have slowed down many government facilities. The wider attacks on higher education, like the deportations of students, have fostered a community of fear. Beyond the executive branch’s recent actions, the GOP also dominates both chambers of Congress.

The GOP’s rising control in politics has opened space for more conservative-leaning internships, leaving my left-leaning peers and I conflicted about the ethics of taking an internship that may not represent our values and interests. Some progressive students have made compromises by taking internships that don’t align with their beliefs driven by fear of falling behind in a competitive industry. I understand the pressure to perfect your resume, but interning in a position that undermines your beliefs feels like a trade-off that isn’t worth making. 

Nowadays, party ideology is seen as tied to one’s morals. In this environment, working for a party or leader that fundamentally opposes your ethical guidelines risks not only personal discomfort but also chips away at your integrity. Frankly, it is appalling to see peers cave to the pressure of securing high-profile internships or networking opportunities. When I see fellow students — people who should be fighting for a brighter future — ignoring their moral values for the sake of the possibility of some type of career advancement, it feels like a surrender to the current administration. 

Since returning from winter break, I have noticed a rise in internship postings that align with conservative ideologies, like opportunities with the National Center of Public Policy and Research, a think tank that targets diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives by threatening lawsuits, proposing policy changes and limiting budgets. In February, I was intrigued by a job posting for a paid journalism internship before realizing it was for the National Journalism Center, an organization that trains future conservative journalists. Even though opportunities in conservative think tanks or at conservative media outlets are more easily accessible because of the current presidential administration, it’s essential to ask if working in those spaces is worth supporting ideas that you don’t actually believe in. 

Many GW students go into politics because they feel so strongly about certain laws, policies or rights. We determine our future jobs in part because we believe in the same values as the other workers there. When we enter into the field of politics and politics-aligned businesses and opportunities, it is quite likely that our coworkers are people who strongly believe in the traditional values of their party, whether for better or for worse. It would be isolating to take on a role in such environments if your values don’t align with those around you — especially if, whether from direct legislation or experience, it seems like your coworkers don’t care about you as an individual. When working in the political sphere, interacting with colleagues and bosses whose jobs and policy-making directly impact people’s identities and livelihoods can be hard when it is your identity that their work affects, like if you come from an immigrant background or have your reproductive rights under fire. 

Additionally, considering the long-term path to progress is essential. There is still hope for change — by choosing opportunities that align with our principles, we can contribute to a future that reflects a more just society, even if it means taking a slower and less conventional path. Lengthening your resume now may provide some short-term satisfaction but under different circumstances and administrations, a resume that includes an internship that doesn’t match your values as an applicant may close more doors than it opens. 

Perhaps instead of seeking a Hillternship, we should take this opportunity to improve skills that will prove useful in any future career path. For example, honing your ability to build interpersonal relationships by working at a nonprofit where you interact with donors and community members consequently improves your communication and networking prowess, an essential skill in any profession. By doing this, you not only avoid sacrificing your principles but also gain practical experience that is valuable regardless of what the future holds. It’s a win-win situation: cultivating professional adeptness while staying true to your personal values. 

In the end, the choice is up to the individual. But for many of us, choosing internships that conflict with our core beliefs can feel like giving up on the future we want to see, and in turn, giving in to an administration whose views are at odds with our own. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we stand firm and do not give in to pressure to conform. By staying true to ourselves and our principles, students have the power to create the change we seek — even if it means taking the long road.