Charlie Murphy Shares Experience Securing a Career as Congressional Staff Assistant In Washington, D.C.

Charlie Murphy, a Spring 2026 graduate in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), shares his experience securing a career as a Congressional Staff Assistant in Washington, D.C.

Charlie, can you tell us about your academic history when you were a student at Virginia Tech?

I graduated in Spring 2026 with a major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), and with minors in Science, Technology & Law (STL) and Political Science. The PPE program is where I expanded my knowledge and found new ways of thinking that really gave me an interest in working on Capitol Hill. I truly enjoyed my studies, where I was challenged to improve my critical thinking skills, research abilities, and make meaningful relationships with my peers and professors.

Outside the classroom, I stayed active with the Off-Campus Housing Fair and Study Abroad Fair as a student liaison and facilitator with Student Engagement and Campus Life. I also worked as a Student Lead at the U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility on campus, where I was fortunate enough to support fellow Hokies and the Blacksburg community in obtaining their passports. Furthermore, Virginia Tech provided me with an active social life, through Greek life, social events on campus, and even random conversations being struck up while sitting on campus.

Did you complete any internships or experiential learning opportunities while you were a student at Virginia Tech?

I did have several internships during my summers while at Virginia Tech, and built a steady pipeline of D.C. experience during this time. I interned part-time with Hooks Solutions over three summers helping organize fundraising events for numerous Members of Congress. I also interned in the office of Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4), where I answered constituent concerns, drafted memos, and really gained an understanding of the day-to-day operations of the House of Representatives. Most recently, I interned at D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services, where I summarized proposed legislation and attended congressional hearings and OSHA roundtables.

Each of these internships built on the last, from direct constituent-facing work to policy analysis, to the fundraising and relationship-building side of the Hill. I am very grateful I interned in different sections of Capitol Hill because it gave me a better understanding of all the different aspects of government that are all firing at once.

Can you provide information about the application process for your current position, and what kind of work you focus on under this position?

I’m currently a Staff Assistant and Intern Coordinator for Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03), and the process to secure this position was competitive as I went through the interview process with different members of Congressman Hurd’s office. For me, preparing for those interviews meant getting sharp on CO-03’s district geography and priorities, Western water issues, public lands, and energy policy, along with Congressman Hurd’s personal background and understanding his institutionalist approach to the job.

Day to day, my work covers a wide range of communications and constituent relations. These include items such as drafting floor speeches, writing congratulatory and recognition letters for constituents and honorees, and more. Also, I coordinate our Intern Program, tailoring projects to give interns new experiences and expand their knowledge of how Capitol Hill works.

What strategies were most effective in helping you secure your current role?

An important factor was having a track record of Capitol Hill experience before I applied. The internships gave me fluency in how congressional offices operate, from constituent services to fundraising to policy work, so I didn’t begin this position needing to learn the basics of the job. I’d also add that preparing deeply for the specific district and member, not just generic Capitol Hill knowledge, matters a lot in interviews. Offices want to know you understand their state or district, not just “Congress” in the abstract.

Additionally, what I learned through interning in Washington, D.C., is that you have the unique ability to meet hundreds of different people with different backgrounds, and on Capitol Hill, people will remember you and how you treated them even if it was a single conversation. Taking advantage of your networking opportunities and creating relationships is very beneficial to working here.

How did PPE prepare you for your current role, and what qualities did your employer find most valuable as a PPE graduate?

PPE is built for exactly this kind of work. It trains you to move fluidly between policy analysis, political reasoning, and the economic tradeoffs behind legislation, which is similar to the daily rhythm of a congressional office. The STL and Political Science minors sharpened that further, especially STL’s crossover with policy and regulation.

What I think Congressman Hurd’s office valued most was the combination of clear writing, sound judgment, and the ability to manage all the different moving pieces that shape the fast-paced environment we work in. Being able to take a broad ask (a floor speech, a letter, a briefing point) and turn it into something tight, accurate, and contextually appropriate for the moment, without a lot of back-and-forth is something PPE prepared me for.

If you give advice to current students as they prepare for their careers, what would it be?

Apply for an internship in a congressional office or connect with people that are as early as you can, even in a small capacity, because there’s no substitute for learning how the Hill works day to day firsthand or through someone who knows it firsthand. Whether that is an internship on or around the Hill, a district office internship, or even getting lunch with someone you know who works in government, make connections. When you do find yourself in that position ask questions and say yes to the unglamorous tasks. Things like tours, memos, scheduling, or getting lunch with your cousin’s friend who works on the Hill that you barely know all add up to experience. Doing these activities is where you learn the rhythms of congressional offices, make meaningful relationships, and gives you valuable experience for the future. Be specific in how you prepare for opportunities. Know the district of the member you are applying to intern with, know the member themselves, know the issues that matter to their constituents. That specificity is what separates candidates from those who just have “Hill experience” on paper.

(Photo provided by Charlie Murphy – used with permission)