The ninth cohort of LBJ Washington Center graduate students from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas embarked on a transformative journey, blending academic rigor with hands-on policy apprenticeships in Washington DC. The students, who graduated in December 2024, reflect on their time at LBJ with gratitude for a supportive community, impactful policy work, and a wealth of experiences that will undoubtedly shape their futures in public service.