Javier Martinez originally came to Capitol Hill with dreams of being an elected official, but he realized that he didn’t need to be a public figure to be an effective public servant.
“I got back here three weeks ago, and I got to my desk and I started working and everything just clicked,” Martinez said. “It just seemed right. I was coming home, and I just consider myself to be very, very fortunate.”
For others looking to make it on Capitol Hill, Martinez, who is a mentor in the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association, says connections are the key.
“If you meet someone at an event or a reception, keep in contact with these people and ask them for guidance because I’ve learned that a lot of these folks have gone through the same experiences as you and they want to help,” Martinez said.
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Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
