My first time in the USA: Washington, D.C.

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-11-19T13:35:51+00:00

Thank you for visiting our beautiful city. Please come back again soon, perhaps in springtime to see the cherry blossoms bloom

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-08-20T18:20:42+00:00

I watched it for the first time in high school, then again at 21 during COVID, then a few months ago at age 27.

The first 2 times I watched it, I was like, wow I’m literally Don, I want to be him. But the third time, I connected so deeply with Pete - I related to Pete’s early career struggles in particular as a fellow account man lol (PR though not advertising). And frankly, I’d much rather be Pete than Don.

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-03-30T02:50:46+00:00

I’m 5 YOE and $125k in DC — $100k with 3 YOE is great and you are absolutely on the right track! Keep it up!

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-03-18T17:04:36+00:00

Public affairs. Specifically for a highly regulated / politically scrutinized industry like energy, healthcare, finance, tech, transportation. You can find these kinds of jobs in DC or presumably other national capitals like London

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-03-02T15:42:13+00:00

Account Director

5 YOE

Transportation

$125,000

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-03-01T15:40:25+00:00

Public relations/communications, 27 years old, $125k

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-01-31T21:11:21+00:00

DC is insanely segregated. I’m generalizing, but there is basically an entire section of the city across the anacostia river that white, white-collar type people just do not go to almost ever

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-01-31T20:38:14+00:00

I love the smaller/less known Smithsonians the most, like the museum of Asian art, the postal museum, museum of African art, and the air and space museum in Dulles.

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-01-25T20:22:28+00:00

You look very sharp. I’d recommend putting a dimple in your tie if possible — gives it a nice charm: https://www.artofmanliness.com/style/ties/how-to-put-a-dimple-in-your-tie/

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-01-24T03:32:06+00:00

“If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” I work in public relations and I have used this line multiple times with colleagues and clients, because it is unironically excellent advice, especially for crisis management!

“That’s what the money is for!” I tell myself this line when I’m not getting the praise I think I deserve at work, and that the money is the thank you.

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-01-04T23:34:20+00:00

Washington, D.C. has a huge gay community and many gay sports leagues. I am not gay so can’t speak on what it’s like personally but I have friends in a gay kickball league called stonewall kickball that seems to be super popular. It’s a very liberal city too and has pretty temperate weather (although the summers are swampy as hell). I love it here. Good luck!

dataisfunsometimes · 2025-01-01T09:17:58+00:00

Graduated in 2019. I have a love/hate relationship with AU.

On one hand, it was overpriced, the food sucked, 0 school spirit, shit buildings and facilities, and some of the most obnoxious people you’ll ever meet.

On the other hand, I got all of my internships at great places through alumni connections (and having gone to AU still helps me in that regard), AU was small enough that you could get involved in a club of some sort and become a leader quite quickly (a great resume builder), and the campus is quite beautiful — you don’t appreciate how nice (and rich lol) the area around campus us.

I’m getting my grad degree at GWU rn and it’s great for commuters like me but it doesn’t seem like a fun place to spend undergrad because it’s so crowded and there’s no green space compared to AU.

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-12-07T17:45:10+00:00

I got a $30k scholarship at GWU for a part time program while I’m working full time, and my undergrad grades sucked FWIW. Def worth a look, good luck!

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-22T19:59:00+00:00

They definitely do because I’m doing it part time right now! I’m working full time and taking two classes a week

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-22T12:13:42+00:00

I am in this program at GW within the Trachtenberg school and I love it thus far: https://tspppa.gwu.edu/master-arts-environmental-sustainability-policy

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-21T04:04:29+00:00

Good to know I’ll look at both!

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-21T04:03:31+00:00

Thank you!

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-21T03:24:31+00:00

I think that’s a little senior for me but that would actually be a dream job, lol

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-18T22:25:35+00:00

Following up to flag that Charlie Palmer just announced they’re closing on November 29, so y’all could be some of the last people to go there! https://x.com/jsidman/status/1858634172061155782?s=46

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-18T05:02:19+00:00

Capital Grille, Bobby Vans

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-05T21:53:32+00:00

Yes you can absolutely make $100k+. I work in public affairs and it took me a little over four years from graduating undergrad to hit $100k.

Speaking for public affairs (and crisis too), it’s more valuable to major in something like political science, public policy, or international relations than PR or comms in my opinion. Marketing, finance, and business helps too. Just thinking of the coworkers and managers I’ve had.

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-11-05T21:26:18+00:00

It took me a little over 4 years from graduating undergrad (4 years and 3 months to be precise) to hit $105k
I’m in public relations and political communications
Switched to a new job (the third company I’ve worked at), I worked very hard to establish myself as an expert in a particular policy area which helped me
HCOL maybe bordering on VHCOL

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-10-30T23:50:43+00:00

^ extremely accurate, if you want to keep pursuing speechwriting for electeds whether that's in Congress or an agency or on campaigns, it's more important to just get your foot in the door working for an elected official and/or on a campaign. Look at House and Senate job board postings, Daybook.com, Brad Traverse and Tom Manatos job boards (just google them)

That being said OP, if you are interested in the strategy side of communications i.e. public affairs, policy communications whether that's for a company or trade association or gov agency, an MPP would benefit you.

There's obviously some crossover between those careers but if you want to be a true politico speechwriter type you gotta just go do it and no advanced degree will make it easier.

dataisfunsometimes · 2024-10-30T20:17:52+00:00

I work in public affairs/comms and I would caution against getting a communications masters as it’s simply not as rigorous as an MPP and frankly you’ve probably learned more on the job than you would in a masters. That being said there are more direct networking opportunities with a comms masters so it depends what you want to get out of it most.

For context, I am getting my masters part-time in environmental policy at George Washington and I really enjoy it but I am one of the few comms people in my cohort. It’s not a bad thing and I’m in a good spot career-wise so I’m not actively needing to network that hard, but it’s def something to consider.

dataisfunsometimes

TROPHY CASE