James Manley
Aide to the Main Aide to Congressman Sean P. Duffy
Graduated: 2010
Salary: $25,000/year
Benefits: Dental
Checks e-mail: 18 times/day

Where does power lie in the US House of Representatives? Just ask Mr. Manley: “I think of myself as the power behind the power behind the throne,” he said. AWOL sat down with the ambitious young staffer over coffee in a Capitol Hill Starbucks. Mr. Manley graduated with Political Science honors and was snapped up by former sports commentator and Real World contestant Sean P. Duffy, a 10-year House veteran. “I do all kinds of things,” said Mr. Manley, “mostly social networking and regular networking.” Manley, a lifelong Democrat, said he signed on with the Republican Duffy out of a spirit of non-partisanship. “I’m proud to be crashing traditional barriers.” The highlight of his go-go DC lifestyle? “I live in Columbia Heights, and sometimes the staff goes out to drink at a kind of funky little bar.” Manley says he hopes to ascend to Main Aide within the next few years.

Debbie Shenkar
Environment Blogger
Graduated: 2006
Salary: Commission
Benefits: Wireless Internet
Checks e-mail: 61 times/day

Debbie Shenkar knew she wanted to do something to help the planet. “It’s a little radical, but I think corporations are killing the environment,” she explained. Shenkar is paid up to $20 per entry to a network of green blogs called ProgressiveGreenBlogs.com. “After my study abroad in Canada, I knew I wanted to work somewhere where I could make a difference.” Shenkar’s last post? “10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Changing What You Wear!”

Robert Singleton
Business, Man
Graduated: 2008
Salary: $85,000/year
Benefits: Full everything
Checks e-mail: From da’ jet

Robert Singleton (call him “Bobby”) has been on a rocket ride to the top ever since he left the Kogod School of Business with a degree in Business Administration. His company, an up-and-coming consulting and manufacturing firm in the heart of Kansas City, recently closed a deal with organic baby food giant Yummy Spoonfuls. By day, he saves the company money by seamlessly coordinating accounts and managing corporate downsizing. By night, he drinks and picks up chicks in KC’s hottest hangouts. “I’m going to do this until I retire, and then I’m going to die,” he said.

Madison Wheeler
Plant Geneticist
Graduated: 2003
Salary: $65,000/year
Benefits: Blue Cross, Blue Shield
Checks e-mail: 1 time/day

Recession? Nobody told Madison Wheeler. Steady hours, great benefits, free child care and a beautiful house in California’s Napa Valley are just a few of the perks of Wheeler’s position with agribusiness giant Monsanto. AWOL spoke with Mrs. Wheeler on her sun-dappled wrap-around porch. “The best part is my wonderful husband, my beautiful children and the wine tours of the valley,” she said. Wheeler graduated in 2003 with a degree in Agricultural Biology. “I loved American,” she said. “It was a little irksome to have to do the same degree over again at a school with an actual science program, but the Tavern fries were worth it!”