For American University student Rodney Woods, SPA/BA ’27, the connection between studying government and seeing it in action runs from the classroom to Capitol Hill. As a congressional intern in the U.S. House of Representatives, he is seeing how elected officials serve their constituents, attending committee hearings, and learning from legal professionals working in government. 

A first-generation college student double majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies in AU’s School of Public Affairs, Woods arrived with a clear goal: attend law school and build a career at the intersection of law, government, and public service. Studying in Washington, D.C., has helped him begin putting that plan into practice. 

I’ve been intentional about putting that plan into action through my coursework, leadership roles, legal internships, and now my congressional internship… Each experience has given me a better understanding of the kind of attorney I want to become and has strengthened my commitment to a career at the intersection of law, government, and public service.

Woods, a third-year senior double majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies in AU’s School of Public Affairs, said his interest in government and the legal system began with his own experiences growing up. 

Coming from a rough background, I saw firsthand how much my own life could be shaped by the institutions and systems around me.

That experience sparked my interest in government and the legal system and made me want to understand how those institutions work, while ultimately putting myself in a position to work within them and create meaningful change in my own life and in the lives of others.

At AU, that interest has continued to develop through both his academic and extracurricular experiences. Woods said his coursework has given him a more sophisticated understanding of political institutions and how public policy affects people's lives. He has also been influenced by professors who bring their expertise and enthusiasm into the classroom and encourage students to engage with these subjects beyond simply completing a course. 

His experiences outside the classroom have been equally important. As president of AU Amnesty International, Woods helped lead the organization to recognition by Amnesty International USA as a 2026 Leading Change Student Group of the Year. He also serves as president of the Judge Jane Bolin Scholars Society, where he has helped build a community for students interested in law and public service. 

Taking on those leadership roles has made my interest in public service much more than an academic pursuit… They’ve given me opportunities to put my interests into practice and reinforced that public service is something I want to dedicate my entire career to.

For Woods, studying in Washington, D.C., made the opportunity to work in the federal government especially meaningful. He had long hoped to experience Capitol Hill firsthand, and the congressional internship gave him an opportunity to connect what he had been learning in the classroom with the institutions around him. 

Being in D.C. has also allowed me to turn what I’m learning in the classroom into real experiences. I’ve been able to work in legal settings, take on leadership roles on campus, and now intern in the U.S. House of Representatives. Looking back, I really could not have made a better choice for the path I had planned for myself. AU gave me the academic foundation, the location, and the opportunities to take the goals I came in with and actually start building a career around them.

On Capitol Hill, Woods is seeing the institutions he studies from a new vantage point. Beyond his work in the office, he has attended congressional committee hearings, particularly those held by the Judiciary and Intelligence Committees. 

The biggest thing I’ve learned is how different it is to study government from a classroom and actually see the work being done firsthand. 

One of his most significant lessons has been seeing the relationship between a congressional office and its constituents up close. 

You learn about representation and the relationship between elected officials and their constituents in class, but working in an office allows you to see the individual people behind those concepts and the kinds of issues they bring to their representative.

Professional growth has also come through the relationships Woods has built during his time on Capitol Hill. He has made a point of introducing himself to people across the Capitol, asking questions, and learning about their career paths. He has participated in coffee chats with legal staff and attorneys, gaining insight into their experiences in government and the different ways a legal background can translate into public service. 

I’ve tried to be intentional about introducing myself, asking questions, and learning from the people around me rather than simply staying within my own office.

Those conversations have expanded his professional network and introduced him to people and opportunities he might not otherwise have encountered. 

For Woods, the congressional internship is one step toward a career in law and public service. His advice to other AU students: build relationships, stay open to learning, and use the opportunities around you in Washington, D.C. 

Your first internship does not have to be your dream job,” Woods said.

“It just needs to teach you something, give you experience, and put you one step closer to where you ultimately want to be.

And taking that first step starts with putting yourself forward. 

Most importantly, apply.