If you look out your window you will see the Lincoln Memorial and our nation’s Capitol. Welcome to Washington, D.C.

Many have visited the nation’s Capitol, but few can say they know what takes place behind the scenes.

Tara Fields, senior communications major, spent the summer with Louisiana Senator David Vitter and learned hands-on what most people can’t see.

When Fields was chosen to be an intern under Senator Vitter, she couldn’t believe it.

“I read the email five or six times,” said Fields. “I was overwhelmed, overjoyed, anxious, and ready to get it going.”

However, as Fields flew into D.C. and saw the tall Washington Monument, she realized she was alone.

“I was really scared, but I was excited at the same time,” said Fields.

Fields’ anxiety wouldn’t last long, as she had plenty to do when she landed. She worked in a few departments at the Capitol over the course of five weeks. The first of those was the Legislative Department.

There, she learned how bills were prepared for the Senator. Fields discovered that the task of creating a bill was not as easy as she thought.

“It’s really tedious and takes a long time,” said fields. “Statistics and exact information are required if any bill has a chance of getting passed.”

The most interesting thing she learned was the process of how bills are constructed and that one must be “driven to do it.”

The next part of Field’s journey took place in the Press Department where she got to write a speech for the Senator. Though she was excited, she had no clue what to write.

“I just sat there in front of a piece of paper wondering what I was going to say,” said Fields.

But Fields realized her assignment was greater than her. She put herself in the shoes of everyday citizens and thought about how they would feel about a certain issue.

“It humbles you,” said Fields. “You’re there to help people and to help your country.”

Fields said she has a lot of respect for people who do it for a living. It’s not a job that you can just do “right on the spot.”

Fields would go on to work for the Administration Department, where she gave tours of the capitol.

Fields had never been to Washington, D.C. or the Capitol prior to her tour training, and was overwhelmed by its size.

“You can easily get lost,” said Fields. “I got lost a few times during my tours.”

But Field’s trip to D.C. wasn’t all work and no fun. She got to play softball in front of the Washington Monument with different offices from the Capitol. Her team was called the “who-bats.”

Fields said she asked Vitter if he wanted to play, but he declined.

“He said he couldn’t play softball,” said Fields. “He said he wasn’t good at it.”

After playing with those different offices, Fields said she noticed how close they were.

“They do everything together,” said Fields. “They’re like a family.”

Although Vitter’s softball skills may be limited, Fields said he gives his job a hundred percent.

“He’s a hard working man and wants to see things get done,” said Fields.

Fields said he never treated her like an employee, but as if she “was part of the family.”

Fields wishes people could know how hard the people in D.C. work on our country’s behalf.

She said being able to help people was what  she she liked most about her experience in D.C.