Of the 3,500 legislative staff in Congress, fewer than 20 are technologists. That essentially means that fewer than 20 technical experts are contributing to policymaking in areas of technology, such as blockchain, cybersecurity, and privacy - issues that have massive implications on our everyday lives.
While the rest of our country’s businesses and non-profits are consistently modernizing, Congress has remained stagnant when it comes to technical expertise. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress was forced to rapidly adopt technological expertise, such as the creation of the House Telework Readiness Center and the newly-created House Digital Service. But Congress is still majorly lagging, and needs all the help it can get.
Each year, as offices on the Hill recognize the value of having a technologist on the team and technologists realize the impact they can make through public policy, our program grows. In 2022 we placed twenty technologists on Capitol Hill. By the end of 2023, we will have placed 20 more.
And we are thrilled to build on this momentum and announce that applications are now open for TechCongress’ June 2023 Congressional Innovation (early-career) Fellowship!
Between now and February 2nd, 2023, we’re looking for early-career engineers, computer scientists, and other technologists who want to apply their skills to some of the biggest challenges facing our country and help shape technology policy. Even if you have not previously considered working in government, you’re not alone: some of our current fellows didn’t think civil service was their path, either.
We’re so proud that our alumni have done groundbreaking work, such as supporting Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Commerce Consumer Protection Subcommittee during its hearings with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, helping draft the House Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust Subcommittee report on tech monopolies, or taking point on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to ban imports from Xinjiang on the grounds of genocide and human rights abuses. Our fellows have also served with some of the top leaders in Congress, including Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Senator Klobuchar (D-MN).
Training our fellows on how Congress works is what we do best, and through our comprehensive orientation, we provide fellows with an in-depth look on how Congress functions as an institution, and how policy is made on the Hill. We provide fellows the tools they need to succeed from day one.
Throughout the next few months, we’ll be holding networking events and informational calls where you can ask us questions, meet the fellows, and learn more about the fellowship. You can check out a list of upcoming events on our Twitter and Instagram.
Applications will close on Thursday, February 16th at 11:59pm ET. We hope you’ll join us and apply!