Comprehensive in-person Congressional intern orientation held in collaboration with the House Select Committee on the Modernization Of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC, June 27th, 2022 — POPVOX Foundation and the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project hosted the first in-person “Internapalooza,” orientation and welcome event for the Summer class of Congressional interns, in collaboration with the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (aka “ModCom”), June 16-17, 2022. Almost 500 current Congressional interns registered to attend sessions designed to familiarize them with Congress and give them skills to succeed in their internship and beyond.

A coalition of over 20 organizations from the First Branch Intern Project contributed in organizational or advisory capacities. The event featured over 50 speakers, including former Members of Congress, Congressional staff, representatives from Congressional support agencies, business leaders, and Congress-adjacent organizations. Speakers covered topics ranging from navigating constituent interactions to perspectives on whether graduate studies and advanced degrees will help interns’ future careers. Attendees also had several chances to meet and network with speakers and other attendees, including at a Capitol Hill scavenger hunt and evening reception. The full schedule can be found here: https://www.internproject.org/internapalooza

Demand for tickets to Internapalooza was extremely high, with all available intern tickets claimed several days before registration closed. Attending interns came from 228 House and Senate offices, caucuses, and committees in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle.

More information on attending interns, including demographics of attending interns and additional internship details, is available on request.

POPVOX Foundation Co-founder and Executive Director Marci Harris said:

Internapalooza was the result of tremendous collaboration by organizations that understand the important role that interns serve in our First Branch of government. Today’s interns are tomorrow’s staffers, civil servants, cabinet members and elected officials. It is our honor to play a small part in helping these young people from all over the country start off on the right foot, make new friends and receive a warm welcome to Congress. We are inspired by their energy, fresh perspective and commitment to public service!

FACT SHEET

ABOUT INTERNAPALOOZA

Internapalooza is a free two-day event to help incoming interns start their semester off right with a level playing field and new connections. The event provides interns with basic information about the legislative process and Capitol Hill, networking opportunities and tips on how to be a successful intern. It is hosted by POPVOX Foundation and the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project, in collaboration with the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. In addition to the main Internapalooza programming, interns, partner organizations, and other organizations hosted meet-ups, receptions, and virtual convenings. The Summer 2022 event was the first time Internapalooza took place in-person at the U.S. Capitol, following virtual events in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.

Internapalooza session videos will be posted at: https://www.internproject.org/past-session-videos

ABOUT POPVOX FOUNDATION

popvox.org

POPVOX Foundation works “to inform and empower people and make government work better for everyone.” This includes reimagining the concept of “civic infrastructure,” and providing new ways for government to share information and engage the public, with an emphasis on diverse participation and rebuilding public trust.

ABOUT THE FIRST BRANCH INTERN PROJECT

internproject.org

The First Branch Intern Project began as the “Virtual Intern Project” in April 2020, when several organizations began meeting regularly to discuss supporting Capitol Hill interns during the pandemic. The project has evolved into an ongoing collaboration to provide resources and networking opportunities for Congressional interns and to promote diversity among those applying for and obtaining Congressional internships.