The DC area is also the hub of trade and professional associations. Most associations have a need for a wide range of talents from editorial, marketing, sales, logistics, scientific, etc. While you may not get rich, the networking is incredible because you may interact with a bunch of companies in the industry (if you work for an association that core interests you.)
My first 15 years out of college I worked for a non-profit trade association in the DC area (hence my name on here) and it was the best time of my professional career. Great area, great networking, usually smaller staff, and some associations have some pretty cool perks... I had friends at the florist and craft beer association all in town. Maybe with your family's cachet, getting a foot in the door with a publishing, auto, small business, etc. association may get you an email at least.
The ASAE (the association for associations) keeps a job board - https://careerhq.asaecenter.org/jobs as well.
Good luck!
In reply to Nicole Suddard :
A little late to this, but if your sister isn't sure what kind of work she might like to do, I recommend she find a place to take the Strong Interest Inventory assessment (https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-us/products-and-services/strong). Basically, it's about 300 questions about all manner of things: interests, likes, dislikes, work, you name it. The results reveal not only what your "work personality" is, but also what kinds of jobs others who score similarly have AND ENJOY.
A note about the link above: the assessment product is owned by the firm that owns the Myers-Briggs test, which some people find isn't strongly grounded in science. However, before I took the assessment, Professor Google indicated that it is well regarded and valid, and I took it from someone who ran a top 10 university's career counseling program. Some results weren't eye-opening; others were.
Another resource she might look into is the Clifton StrengthsFinder test (https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx). You can buy a book with a one-time login code and take it online. Don't buy a used copy -- the seller will have used the code. The test helps you figure out not what jobs suit you, but what kinds of things you are good at. The results are useful, but they are not job specific.
Anyway, I think SII and StrengthsFinder are useful tools to help you try to figure out what, exactly, you want to do. I know you asked about advice about finding a job in the Big City, but in my opinion, starting by taking a step back and learning something about yourself is a smart first step.
