You have come to the right place. GW's Graduate School of Political Management will help to provide you the training you need and access to contacts you will want to make to help prepare you and familiarize you with a career in lobbying. Who and what is a lobbyist anyway? Webster's Dictionary defines a lobbyist as "one employed to influence legislators or public officials to introduce or vote for measures to the interest he/she represents". Lobbyists may also be called "Government Relations Professionals", "Washington Representatives", "Legislative Representatives" or "Advocates."
What do lobbyists do? There are many aspects involved in the lobbying process. Some lobbying activities include:
1) Legislative tracking and monitoring;
2) Participating in coalitions
3) Drafting policy positions, white papers, letters, op-ed pieces, talking points, speeches
4) Meeting with legislative/regulatory staff and legislators
5) Testifying before city councils, state legislatures, Congress, regulatory bodies, etc.
6) Speaking at industry meetings, press events, and other public and private forums
7) Many other activities such as attending fundraisers and working to represent your client's or organization's interests.
What types of organizations hire and retain lobbyists?
1) Corporations
2) Trade/professional associations
3) Labor unions
4) Coalitions
What type of skills and personal attributes are needed to become a successful lobbyist?
1) Good writing skills
2) Good communication skills
3) Good interpersonal skills
4) Good research skills
5) Ability to get along with and interact with diverse groups of people
6) Experience interning or working with local, state, or federal legislatures or regulatory bodies
7) Knowledge of legislative and regulatory procedures
8) Relevant education (such as GSPM), law, political science, public affairs, public policy, marketing, public relations
9) Subject matter expertise such as healthcare, environment, defense, the appropriations process, education, transportation, etc.
GSPM students are strongly encouraged to participate in many of the programs and seminars offered throughout the year. Many of our students and alumni work as government relations professionals. We feature these folks as speakers on many of our programs. Notably, several government relations organizations provide excellent programming and provide student discounts for memberships and program fees.
Check out some government relations organizations for possible student memberships:
2) The Advocacy Association (co-founded by GSPM alumnus and adjunct professor Joe Franco)
In addition to participating in relevant programming and pursuing relevant coursework, students are encouraged to utilize all of the resources available to them in the Gelman Library to learn more about lobbying careers. Lobbying, public affairs, and public relations provide very interesting, rewarding, and potentially lucrative careers.
Many of our folks are happy and successful government relations professionals. Why not explore becoming one yourself?
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu
