Young, Type A, grossly immature culture.
People come to the Hill because they want something. Lobbyist want their issues up front and center, visitors want their voices to be heard, so combine that with a bunch of 20-somethings who are getting their first taste of power and you may have a recipe for disaster. Egomania runs rampant on the Hill, which means (again, depending on the office) you will meet some people who believe they are God's gift to Mother Earth. Some staff may not be as mature as you would like them to be.
Also, most people on the Hill get jobs based on who they know, so consider that should you ever have issues with anyone. Also, there is no real HR so either you bite the bullet and put up with it or find another office. Choose your matches carefully before you decide to burn a bridge.
Members are a mixed bag. Some members are great, others not so much. It depends on who you work for.
- The pay is very low for DC, and if the government shuts down you can be laying on the couch until they figure things out.
- If you are an intern, don't accept 'grunt work' just because that's the way things are done on the Hill. Stretch yourself and get on projects or else you'll just be answering phones.
- And of course if your boss loses an election, you gotta find work elsewhere.
