Program Overview

Professional opportunity is waiting around the corner. Are you ready?

The 118th Congress is in full swing and staff positions are open in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. These positions represent a unique opportunity for professionals like you to advance conservative principles and impact public policy. Ready, Set, HILL! is here to assist you in landing your first Hill job and preparing for success.

Ready, Set, HILL! distills the training and skill-building sessions you need into a two-day, intensive learning program. Heritage's team of instructors are Capitol Hill veterans who teach the entry-level skills you need to be successful in any Hill office. You'll hear from current and former Hill chiefs of staff, skill coaches, and other professionals on a wide range of practical knowledge. Whether you're looking for opportunities as a legislative, communications, or scheduling professional, this program is for you.

What you will learn:

  • Fundamentals: Capitol Hill 101
  • Opportunities: Who Does What in a Hill Office?
  • How the House and Senate Really Work
  • Oversight Basics
  • Writing Fundamentals for the Hill
  • Constituent Communications: The Art of Letter Writing
  • Engaging Outside Resources
  • Acing the Interview
  • Professional Polish for the Hill

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Program Details

FORMAT: Ready, Set, HILL! is available for both in-person and virtual attendance. Space is limited for in-person attendance: early applicants will be prioritized. 

DATE: Ready, Set, HILL! is being offered on the below date:

 Program Date:  Application Deadline:  Status:
 October 12-13  October 6  Open



Whether virtual or in-person, participants should prepare for two full days of jammed packed programming. The schedule will run 9:00 am - 5:00 both days. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. Program will include in-class discussion, Q&A, and homework. 

Those who fulfill all requirements of the program will receive a certificate of completion. Heritage’s Job Bank will work with credentialed graduates on placement into open staff positions in the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate.


Faculty


Kristine Bramsen is Director of the Phillip N. Truluck Center for Leadership Development at The Heritage Foundation. Bramsen has over fifteen years of experience in personnel management, executive recruitment, and the building of political teams for government transitions and campaigns.

Kyle Brosnan serves as Chief Counsel for the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project. He recently joined Heritage after serving as Chief Counsel to Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Kyle served in the Trump Administration in senior roles at the Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security directing the administration's responses to congressional oversight and investigations. BEfore the administration, Kyle served as counsel to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee under Senator Johnson and as a legal fellow at the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations under Senator John McCain (R-AZ).

Clint Brown is Vice President of Government Relations at The Heritage Foundation. Under Chairman Mike Lee, previously served as Policy Director and then Executive Director on the influential Senate Steering Committee. Additionally, he served as Assistant Counsel for the Senate Budget Committee and as a Legislative Correspondent for Senator Jeff Sessions. He also currently serves as an adjunct professor in legislative and political writing for the University of Alabama School of Law.

Aaron Calkins is the Chief of Staff for Congressman Eric Burlison. He previously served as Legislative Director and Counsel for Congressman Andy Biggs and Raul Labrador. His experience in the executive branch includes serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security and as Chief of Staff for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
 
Mike Connolly is Founder and Principal of Inkling Communications, where he has provides writing and strategic services to candidates, senior executive branch officials, U.S. Senators and Representatives, major corporations and nonprofits, the Republican National Committee, and others. He served multiple stints on Capitol Hill, last serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Mike Lee.

Matt Eagan is the Director of Federal Affairs at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Previously, Eagan worked as Government Relations Manager at The Heritage Foundation and Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ted Ellis is Director of Coalitions and Member Services for the Republican Study Committee under Chairman Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, where he works to unite the conservative movement around the RSC's vision for a prosperous and free U.S. economy, vigorous national security, and strong conservative values. He was previously Director of Coalitions at Americans for Prosperity.

Ryan Neuhaus is a Policy Advisor for the Senate Steering Committee. He previously served as a Legislative Correspondent and then Legislative Assistant in the Office of Senator Mike Lee.

Beverly Hallberg is the Founder and President of District Media Group. Hallberg is an expert media coach, lecturer, and public speaker dedicated to coaching others to be their "best self" for both print and broadcast media. She is a Fellow at the Independent Women's Forum, a guest columnist for The Daily Signal, Washington Examiner, and The Hill and is a frequent contributor on Fox News.

Alexandra McPhee is the Director of Government Relations at Concerned Women for America. Before joining CWA, Alexandra worked on the Hill as Legislative Counsel for Senator Roy Blunt. She has held additional positions as the Director of Religious Freedom Advocacy at the Family Research Council and as a Law Clerk both for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Connor Semelsberger is the Government Relations Manager at the Heritage Foundation. Previously, Semelsberger worked as the Director of Federal Affairs at Family Research Council.

Stephen Siao is the Chief of Staff for Congressman Mark Green. Prior to his appointment as the youngest Chief of Staff at the start of the 116th Congress, he held grassroots and communications roles at Heritage Action for America and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Siao has served nine years on the executive committees of four different Republican parties and auxiliary organizations, including five years as chairman.

Eric Teetsel is Vice President of Government Relations at The Heritage Foundation. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, where he also held the roles of Legislative Director and Special Assistant. Teetsel also formerly served as President of the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, Director of Faith Outreach for the Marco Rubio presidential campaign, Executive Director of the Manhattan Declaration for life, marriage, and religious freedom, and more.


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Have Questions? Email Kaitlin Stumpf at [email protected]