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When Lance B. first learned about the North Texas in Washington D.C. (NTDC) internship program, he was focused on entrepreneurship and earning his accounting degree. The University of North Texas junior already owned a shaved ice business and envisioned a future of business ownership, not public policy. Encouraged by a mentor, he saw the internship as a chance to grow professionally and applied.

"I had no idea NTDC was a thing until someone told me about it," Lance said. "Looking back, the experience changed my perspective."

The program placed Lance in Washington, D.C., at the heart of the nation’s decision makers. He began as an intern in the office of U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill before networking opportunities helped him secure an internship in the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson. In both roles, Lance gained hands-on experience in the fast-paced environment of Capitol Hill, contributing to social media and communications efforts, supporting daily office operations and helping coordinate high-profile events and activities.

Yet what surprised him most wasn't the work itself. It was the exposure to people, ideas and career paths he had never considered before.

The Power of Connection

Every NTDC intern begins the program with an informational packet, and part of that information includes advice like “set up coffees.” The idea seemed antiquated at first, but once Lance arrived in Washington, he quickly understood the impact.

He met a congressional staff member who regularly scheduled meetings over coffee with professionals across Washington. Inspired by that example, he decided to do the same. While it felt a bit awkward at first, Lance scheduled 10 coffees a week. He met with one person, who would connect him to another, and then another. The network became reciprocal and soon Lance was not only making connections but connecting others as well. The conversations introduced him to professionals working across policies and committees.

“Each person I met contributed to an area of interest I have – small business, appropriations, armed services,” he explained. “They all gave me their perspectives on life and helped me to develop a new view on my life.”

A Day in the Life

A typical day often began before 7 a.m. and ended well after sunset. On Capitol Hill, NTDC interns had to think on their feet, adapt quickly and work as a team. With congressional staff, elected officials, visitors and constituents all competing for attention, clear communication and strong leadership were essential.

One of Lance's most memorable days came during preparations for a visit by King Charles III, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the coordination required for a high-profile event.

Before most people arrived, Lance was already at work. He helped prepare four floors of offices, stocking supplies, unlocking doors and ensuring workspaces were ready for the day ahead. By 8 a.m., the focus shifted to the royal visit. Lance helped set up three holding rooms, carefully arranging chairs, tables and flags so that every space was ready before guests arrived.

As the morning progressed, he escorted members of Congress between meetings and committee rooms, helping keep the day's tightly packed schedule on track. After a quick lunch, he returned to his communications duties, capturing video and creating social media clips as Johnson delivered remarks. Later, Lance helped prepare the Speaker's Balcony so King Charles and other guests could take in what Lance describes as "the best view in D.C."

The royal visit was only part of the day's workload. By midafternoon, Lance was answering constituent calls and logging feedback on issues ranging from local road repairs to broader national concerns. Long after the official event concluded, he remained on site, helping with the event breakdown, escorting visitors out and capturing the final photos of the day.

It was an experience that underscored the scope of work that takes place in a congressional office, where ceremonial events, communications efforts and constituent services often happen side by side, and 12-hour days are the norm.

“The work we were doing was always so fun. You can never complain when working in the Capitol,” Lance explained. “It’s the best professional experience that you’ll get nowhere else.”

How UNT Experiences Prepared Him for Success

Lance credits many of the skills that helped him thrive in Washington to experiences he developed as a UNT student. His involvement in the Sigma Nu fraternity, including serving as vice president of finance and president of UNT’s Interfraternity Council, provided opportunities to lead, collaborate and build connections long before he arrived in the nation's capital.

When asked whether Greek Life prepared him for NTDC, Lance responded, “One thousand percent.”

Many of the leadership and teamwork skills he developed through his fraternity experience translated directly to his work in Washington. Managing assignments alongside roughly 20 fellow interns required clear communication, organization and the ability to delegate responsibilities effectively. He found the experience similar to coordinating large fraternity events, where success depends on everyone understanding their role and working together toward a common goal.

Networking also felt more natural because of the relationships he had built with fellow students and alumni.

“One of the main challenges was talking with these leaders and congressmen professionally,” Lance explained. “But talking with our own alumni in our chapter transferred up well, being able to have steady conversations. That’s something I may not have been comfortable with in pre-fraternity life.”

His experience highlights one of NTDC's key goals – helping students recognize how the skills they develop through campus involvement can translate into professional environments.

Honing Direction Through Real-World Experience

Like many college students, Lance arrived in Washington with ideas about his future. The NTDC program refined that viewpoint. The experience exposed him to communications, marketing, community engagement and government relations, fields he had never considered before, but has since developed a strong interest in pursuing. More importantly, it helped him identify what energizes him and what doesn’t.

"NTDC gave me a real-world experience to weed out some of the unrealistic ideas I had. It gave me a perspective on different people and different areas of the world while learning about politics. And it showed me what I love doing, and what I didn’t,” he said. "The program molded what I wanted out of life and my interests. I don't think I could have learned that any other way if I wasn't in D.C."

Finding Your People

His advice for other UNT students is simple. Get connected and take advantage of every opportunity to meet people and try new experiences.

“If you’re sitting in your dorm, get out and meet people. It’s so important to be open to opportunities. Any type of club or group. Get connected, meet people, see what the school has to offer because there’s so much that UNT provides,” he said.

His own journey is proof. A student who once saw himself primarily as a business owner and accounting major left Washington with a broader view of himself and of the world, and possibly a new career consideration.

 

About North Texas in Washington D.C. (NTDC)

The North Texas in Washington D.C. (NTDC) internship program provides University of North Texas students the opportunity to experience the American governing processes firsthand and develop through professional work experience. Students learn how various national entities formulate public policy and how other governmental agencies, programs and private organizations interact with that process. Internships are available to students every fall and spring semester. Interns work full-time and are unpaid for the duration of the semester for which they are chosen. 

The program’s objective is to provide students with insights into public life and the policy-making process by working in governmental, nonprofit and private sector internship placements in our nation’s capital. Through NTDC, UNT students can directly apply their learning in the classroom to real-world professional contexts. Students are primarily placed in congressional internships with occasional placements in non-profits or public policy groups.