When Ananya Rao, SPA/BA ’27, arrived at American University from South Brunswick, New Jersey, she envisioned a straightforward trajectory: graduate, head straight to law school, and start practicing. But Washington, DC, has a way of complicating neat plans in the best possible way.

During her first year on campus, Rao realized that a courtroom wasn’t where she wanted to spend her professional life. What she did want, however, was to craft strategy, make an impact, and use her voice. 

“I was exposed to so many different career opportunities,” Rao said. “I learned that a law degree isn’t the only path. You can become a policy analyst at a think tank, work on Capitol Hill, or dive into advocacy and strategic communications.”

That multidisciplinary ambition found an ideal home in her major: communications, legal institutions, economics, and government (CLEG). Designed for students drawn to the intersections of public life, CLEG provided an academic roadmap that her career choices would soon mirror. 

Over the next three years, Rao systematically touched every letter of that four-part acronym through hands-on internships—a defining hallmark of the AU experience—pairing government and legal systems on Capitol Hill with policy research at a think tank, macroeconomic immersion at the central bank, and strategic messaging across all three.

To kick off that journey, Rao made landing her first role on Capitol Hill an absolute mission. She enlisted teammates from American Bhangra Crew—AU’s Indian folk dance team—and older classmates to critique every draft of her cover letter and resume. 

After submitting around 20 applications and working through multiple recruiting cycles, her persistence paid off with a post in the office of Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM).

Like many first-time “Hillterns,” Rao’s initial duties involved answering constituent phone calls, sorting incoming mail, and escorting guests through the Capitol. But she quickly proved herself capable of more, and when she began drafting press remarks, snapping photos, and contributing to social media strategy, Rao caught the comms bug. 

Watching one of the office’s posts gain viral momentum firsthand cemented her ambition. “My experience with communications on the Hill told me that’s where I really want to be,” she said.

Her Hill internship also gave Rao a front-row seat to the Democratic Women’s Caucus, chaired by Leger Fernández, and sparked a deep interest in women’s policy issues. Following the advice of a senior leader to “follow the breadcrumbs”—taking an intriguing trail wherever it leads—Rao applied on a whim to the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) for the fall of her junior year.

At CFR, Rao dove into policy analysis for the Women, Peace, and Security Program. The transition from the frenetic daily pace of Capitol Hill to the methodical world of a think tank was a shift, but it allowed her to hone her investigative skills. 

She sifted through congressional appropriations bills, tracked federal funding streams, and drafted a comprehensive memo used for a policy briefing with lawmakers. Her contributions even earned her an invitation to CFR’s June conference on diversity within international affairs.

Rao’s blend of legislative know-how and communications instincts soon led her to the Federal Reserve Board. Recruited during an early fall cycle, she began working in June 2026 within the Office of the Executive Secretariat. There, she navigated Freedom of Information Act requests, managed constituent and congressional inquiries following board governors’ congressional testimonies, and drafted talking points for senior officers.

When the department underwent a reorganization, Rao’s supervisors recognized her sharp eye for messaging and invited her to transition into the newly created strategic communications team. 

Now staying on as an intern through her senior year, Rao works three days a week balancing office life with her studies, helping the unit draft executive announcements and align team goals with divisional leadership.

With three substantial placements spanning government, research, and economic institutions, Rao embodies a pervasive AU trend: 55 percent of undergraduate Eagles complete three or more semesters of internships before collecting their diplomas. She credits AU’s distinctive campus culture—where walking into class in business casual after a morning downtown is entirely ordinary—with demystifying the professional world. 

“The campus is so understanding about internships, and professors encourage you to take advantage of opportunities,” she said. “While the job market can feel intimidating, my experiences taught me how to navigate corporate structures, how to communicate with senior leadership, and how to stay composed under pressure.”

Her advice for fellow Eagles just beginning their search? Lean on campus resources like the Career Center, seek candid feedback, and prioritize balance. Above all, don’t count yourself out As Rao learned, the key isn’t having every stepped planned—it’s having the courage to follow the breadcrumbs and see where they lead.