Job rush on the Hill
Lawmakers need staff and that means young and hungry Democratic job seekers are scrambling to get hired on the Hill as the new Congress moves in. Hillary Wicai has the story.
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SCOTT JAGOW: If you’re dying to get into politics, better hop to it. The new Democratic Congress gets sworn in tomorrow. As Hillary Wicai reports, this could be a great job opportunity.
HILLARY WICAI: Hundreds of jobs on Capitol Hill need to be filled. Some require lots of previous political experience; others grunt jobs like researchers and receptionists.
One of the many job hopefuls is Brianna Chesser. She left California and is staying with friends while she fires off 10-30 resumes a week. She knows the jobs all have long hours and low pay.
BRIANNA CHESSER: I do believe in the Democratic cause and I do want a job that makes a difference. And I do definitely see things like Hill jobs as a stepping stone to doing something really glamorous like non-profit advocacy for things like civil rights or women’s rights.
In addition to Congressional offices, a couple hundred committees and subcommittees are hiring as the new Democratic leadership staffs up.
In Washington, I’m Hillary Wicai for Marketplace.