And as for your own office, withholding a title change is unusual, but I’ve heard of situations where they are “saving” it up to reward an accomplishment or as an end-of-year promotion. See if it’s an option down the line. Or at the very least, talk to the former senior LA and see what that person had to do to make it happen.
Q. Many Hill offices promote from within, but some do not. If I’m an intern or a staff assistant in an office that doesn’t promote from within, how do I go about getting that coveted LA job in another office when I’m competing with other applicants that are already LAs?
A. I hate to tell you this — but you’ve got to get promoted. You won’t be able to make the leap from staff assistant to LA very easily — there may be some exceptions out there, usually they involve a fellowship or master’s degree or some nontraditional role.
If your office won’t promote from within, talk to your direct supervisor and ask to take on more LA-like responsibilities and learn the skills that way. If they’re reluctant to let you do anything out of your lane, you may need to find another office or work environment that is going to help you grow. Capitol Hill can be a fantastic place to work, but if you don’t have an opportunity for growth and improvement, then you’re better off elsewhere.
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Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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