Inside Washington: A Summer At The Crossroads of Communications and Public Service

I remember it so vividly. Weirdly, it felt like the first day of school. The weather in D.C. was so hot and humid in a way my Nordic upbringing could never have prepared me for. Walking toward my internship, I passed the White House and stepped into a large, beige building a block away to take the elevator to the Partnership for Public Service, where I would spend my summer.

As someone who already had professional work experience in Finland, I had various images in my mind about what being an intern meant in an American context. Movies had shown me a picture of a young student running down the street to get coffee orders for everyone in the office and receiving angry sighs when the ice-to-coffee ratio wasn’t perfect.

At the same time, the Nordics are known for their emphasis on work-life balance, and I was well aware that working in America might offer a different pace and intensity, with a culture that often rewards visibility and hard work.

With those ideas in mind, I was curious to see what interning in Washington would really mean.

Camaraderie and networking

My experience interning in the U.S. is obviously not a universal truth of what working here is like, but I was treated as an equal member of my team from day one. From the very beginning, my colleagues emphasized that interns play a crucial role in advancing the Partnership’s mission of a stronger democracy and better government. Through the projects I contributed to, I not only saw the tangible impact of my work but also truly felt that my efforts made a meaningful difference.

From building and maintaining media lists to expanding outreach to non-traditional media outlets, preparing spokespeople for interviews with major news outlets, writing press materials, and joining press briefings, I got a real feel for the American media landscape and what kind of messaging works here. At the same time, I saw just how important federal workers are in keeping things moving behind the scenes, even if most people might not notice.

Beyond my tasks, I was part of the internship cohort as a whole. I met and became friends with so many talented and inspiring people from schools across the country, all with different roles at the Partnership.

I think being a part of an internship program was the biggest difference compared to my experiences in the past: camaraderie was encouraged, professional development sessions were part of the program, and networking was expected. A big part of that networking came through something called coffee chats, which were informal meetings with senior colleagues.

The idea of coffee chats felt a little daunting at first. I consider myself talkative and extroverted, yet something was intimidating about sitting down with senior colleagues and opening a conversation—especially in a different country while speaking another language. 

By the end of the summer, I loved coffee chats: hearing about colleagues' experiences, learning from their perspectives, and most importantly, receiving their guidance and mentorship. 

In the U.S., it’s not uncommon to have a brief conversation with someone, only for them to offer their contacts that might be of value to you by the end of it.

Reflecting on the summer as a whole, I realize that what made the experience meaningful wasn’t just the projects I worked on or the skills I gained, but the human connections I formed and the culture of mentorship I witnessed. From collaborating with my cohort to learning from senior colleagues, I came to appreciate the importance of guidance and support in professional life. One thing I’ll carry forward is the value of offering help and mentorship to others, knowing that even small acts of goodwill can create an impact for others and for myself.