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178 Notices of the AMs VoluMe 65, NuMber 2 The mutually beneficial nature of the fellowship allowed me to offer insight from the field, while gaining valuable first-hand experience navigating policy, procedure, and politics on Capitol Hill. As a member of the Senator’s staff, my daily responsibilities included researching and analyzing legislation to help advise the Senator, attending briefings on current and emerging issues, writing memos to brief the Senator, supporting him at committee hearings and events, drafting letters on education issues, meeting with constituents and stakeholders, and liaising with the Department of Education. Working for a Senator on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee also meant collaborating with other HELP Committee members’ staff, and gaining first-hand experience with the critical role of Congressional committees. The Presidential transition played a significant role in shaping a large portion of my work. The first few months of the new Administration were devoted to hearings and votes on cabinet nominees and reviewing regulations that were eligible to be overturned by the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Working for a Senator in the minority meant that much of what we did during this period was reactive. Our efforts were focused on helping the Senator respond to things that were happening in a way that was important to him and his constituents, including nominees for federal roles, executive orders, budget proposals, appropriations, and regulation changes. The latter months of my fellowship offered more opportunities to help write and introduce legislation, including two new bills supporting career and technical education and teacher education. Through these efforts, I learned From Campus to Congress: Navigating Policy, Procedure, and Politics as an AMS Congressional Fellow