8-30-2016: Investigative Research, Part 2

Today, I continued my research project on economic conditions across the country. Although I was confused with it in the beginning, I feel very good about where I am right now, and I expect to be completely done with the first phase of the project no later than tomorrow morning.

As I had somewhat stated in my previous blog post, the purpose of my research I’m doing is so that the Congresswoman and her staffers can get a better grasp of these issues that I’m currently investigating. My research will help everyone in the office stay more up-to-date on this issue. My findings from my project have already shocked me on many different levels, and I am confident that we will find the outcome that we predicted. I would have never thought of these possibilities prior to being given this project, and it has opened my mind to think differently and challenge my limits of curiosity.

I hate to say this, but I’m not sure if I could see myself as a congressional staffer. Although there are interesting parts of the job, based on what I’ve seen, there is also quite a bit of tedious work that one can’t avoid.

I chose this independent study to learn more about the role of congressional representatives and their offices, but I think I may have been hoping to spend more time meeting with constituents than I actually did. Of course, I am learning in everything that I’m doing, and I do not have any regrets of deciding to pursue this independent study option. Perhaps my work would be more interesting if I had more time to spend in one office rather than only working in the district office for a week in a half and working in the DC office for a week. But I have had many good experiences so far during my first five days, and I’m sure that everything ahead will be even better.