Best Colleges in Washington DC

Questions About Going to College in Washington DC

How are the career opportunities for college graduates in Washington D.C.?

You shouldn't have to pound the pavement for long in D.C. Bouncing back vigorously from a tough period of low economic growth, Washington D.C. is experiencing an economic boom that bodes well for graduates. The District's steadily low unemployment rate has been hovering around an average of only 6.5 percent since November 2015. On top of that, you’ll find fairly high salaries, outstanding (maybe even overwhelming) networking opportunities, and internships everywhere, especially if you're going into politics. One downside though: everyone dreams to “make it” just like you. Thrive on that healthy competition and you'll find success in D.C.

Growing industries? What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in Washington D.C.?

While the foundation of D.C.’s job market is made up of business service jobs (think finance, law, IT, etc.), you can also correctly assume the area has government jobs galore, both full-time and contract. Additionally, you’ll find plenty of positions in the region’s several universities, such as Georgetown University, George Washington University, the University of Maryland, and Virginia Tech. Tourism is a constant as well. And again, politics consume the D.C. world. If you see yourself working as a lobbyist, assistant, strategist, or something else political sciencey, D.C. is certainly the place to get your foot in the door.

Is Washington D.C. more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family? What communities are best?

As one of the most unique locales in the country, D.C. is a town for professionals, for the movers and shakers new and old. Whether you’re partying in Adams Morgan every weekend or commuting to work on the metro every morning (or both), you oughta be prepared to live among aspiration.

Split into four “quadrants,” D.C. has four major communities each with its own little pockets of more nuanced neighborhoods known as wards. For college grads, Columbia Heights in North-Central, Dupont in the East, and Foxhall or the Palisades in the Northwest offer affordable housing and lots of peers.

While there are family-friendly residential communities, D.C. doesn’t quite offer your traditional suburban experience, at least not at a price the typical recent grad can afford. It’s a great place to kick off a career, but once grads have established themselves and decide they’re ready to start a family, many end up moving to the surrounding burbs of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Alexandria.

What do the locals in Washington D.C. like to do for fun?

Work. Just kidding, sort of. When it comes to fun, the D.C. grad’s fun is in the chase of a magnificent career while making ends meet, and doing leisure right in the downtime. High-energy nightlife is definitely accessible if desired, from quaint bars to upscale restaurants, to the excellent selection of concerts. Football is big here too. No matter what football team you’re rooting for, you’re bound to find a bar full of like-minded fans to root along with. (There’s a good bit of hockey enthusiasm as well. Go Caps!) And with so much free art and history surrounding you, taking a walk around the Lincoln Memorial (free) or a bike ride along the trails, or having a good old fashioned picnic after visiting the Smithsonian (free) are great activities for your weekend outing.

What's the dating scene like in Washington D.C.? Will I meet my perfect mate?

D.C. is teeming with motivated, well-dressed, well-educated 20- and 30-something-year-old workhorses who you can singly mingle with. Most people around your college-grad age will be living with roomies, since the housing here isn’t exactly cheap. And of course, this is D.C., so politics are bound to come up in conversation. You might run into a few big egos with strong opinions flowing that don’t flow with yours, but luckily, the District is quite a melting pot with someone to date for everybody...Unless you land a job in the CIA, the NSA, the FBI, or even NASA. Think your date can handle the secrecy? Eh, you’ll both get used to it.