Lobbying — how to get in?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who works in lobbying of the defense industry, and she seems to live a great life. She seems super involved with her kids (her DH actually travels for months at a time for work, so she handles things on her own), always seems to be on amazing vacations, and judging from her job titles and company pedigree is making bank. She had a bachelors and MBA, and went to a the same undergrad that I did, she worked as civilian employee of DOD for several years before making the jump.

I majored in a scientific field and ended up as a lab scientist at the EPA, no PhD but years of experience. Is there anyway I can make a similar jump to lobbying, as I need to boost my salary for college costs but still want some WL balance. I have asked my friend but since we are in different industries it’s less useful; she said a contractor she worked with gave her that first step but in my job we don’t work with many contractors at that level.

Should I get an MBA? Move up higher in my org (my boss keeps asking me to become division lead) and try to jump from there?

[Anonymous]

Can you get a detail to the Hill? Time as a staffer on the Hill is your best bet. Even just a year or two will help.

[Anonymous]

You will have to go to the Hill where in all likelihood you will make less money. The Hill is the great equalizer where you can have a fresh law school grad answering phones and a state school grad with a few years of working there running a committee. So I say no to the MBA if you want to go into lobbying. Just not needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will have to go to the Hill where in all likelihood you will make less money. The Hill is the great equalizer where you can have a fresh law school grad answering phones and a state school grad with a few years of working there running a committee. So I say no to the MBA if you want to go into lobbying. Just not needed.

OP you will make much less money, and much longer hours. That's why these jobs are for young kids.

[Anonymous]

OP, I mean this well, but if you’re asking how to become a lobbyist, you won’t become a lobbyist.

Lobbyists come from the Hill or political roles in an administration.

[Anonymous]

Lobbying is really about having access to members to Congress to influence legislation on issues of concern to whatever "x" industry. You chiefly need be able to have access to staffers or Congress on a personal and/or professional level (usually both). That entails Military/Government/Political Liaisons to congress or congressional committees. All the trade associations/lobbying firms usually hire junior lobbyists out of college so if you are connected or just really smart you can get the experience in a firm but that defaults to the lower pay that people discussed.

[Anonymous]

You have to start out at the very bottom again, because your experience so far is worthless, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to start out at the very bottom again, because your experience so far is worthless, OP.

I don’t mind that, my friend seemed to advance rapidly in 5 years.

So probably maneuver in my agency to a position that interacts with Congress?

[Anonymous]

Lobbyist here.

You should look at going to a trade as a SME. Many SMEs are long time federal government employees. They make much more than the government but hours can be long when regulations are dropped.

Unfortunately your political sense - which is what I’m primarily paid for - is missing. A really sought after lobbyist has worked on the hill in *specific/ influential* roles, as a political appointee and has a network of people who trust them (many times on a bipartisan basis).

Also not lobbyists have access to the big PAC dollars that unlock fun trips. More likely you get stuck for 3 lunches in a row one week at Capital Grille eating the same salad while people drone on about stupid issues.

[Anonymous]

You should look into niche of contacting in your area as well as what companies would need lobbying for. Sometimes it is the connection and other times it is the funding. Lobbyists do know GovEs or can request a meeting for a company which you wouldn't get with direct approach.

Instead of what education you can get, think about how you can create value for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who works in lobbying of the defense industry, and she seems to live a great life. She seems super involved with her kids (her DH actually travels for months at a time for work, so she handles things on her own), always seems to be on amazing vacations, and judging from her job titles and company pedigree is making bank. She had a bachelors and MBA, and went to a the same undergrad that I did, she worked as civilian employee of DOD for several years before making the jump.

I majored in a scientific field and ended up as a lab scientist at the EPA, no PhD but years of experience. Is there anyway I can make a similar jump to lobbying, as I need to boost my salary for college costs but still want some WL balance. I have asked my friend but since we are in different industries it’s less useful; she said a contractor she worked with gave her that first step but in my job we don’t work with many contractors at that level.

Should I get an MBA? Move up higher in my org (my boss keeps asking me to become division lead) and try to jump from there?

What kind of lab work are you doing?

Does it relate to something companies need to worry about? Maybe it would be easier to make more money as a consultant or expert witness than as a lobbyist.

Another idea would-be just to rightsize your kids’ expectations about how much you can spend on college.

[Anonymous]

Here is the approach I took to becoming a lobbyist OP-

*Law School
*Legislative Assistant, State Capitol
*Legislative Assistant, Capitol Hill
**Trade Association Lobbyist
**Corporate Lobbyist

An MBA is a terrible idea. If you do not want to do law school-- check out GW's Grad School of Political Management (GSPM)- Master's Degree in Legislative Affairs. I think you can do it in one year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the approach I took to becoming a lobbyist OP-

*Law School
*Legislative Assistant, State Capitol
*Legislative Assistant, Capitol Hill
**Trade Association Lobbyist
**Corporate Lobbyist

An MBA is a terrible idea. If you do not want to do law school-- check out GW's Grad School of Political Management (GSPM)- Master's Degree in Legislative Affairs. I think you can do it in one year

What industry do you lobby for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is the approach I took to becoming a lobbyist OP-

*Law School
*Legislative Assistant, State Capitol
*Legislative Assistant, Capitol Hill
**Trade Association Lobbyist
**Corporate Lobbyist

An MBA is a terrible idea. If you do not want to do law school-- check out GW's Grad School of Political Management (GSPM)- Master's Degree in Legislative Affairs. I think you can do it in one year

What industry do you lobby for?

Tech (used to do telecom)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the approach I took to becoming a lobbyist OP-

*Law School
*Legislative Assistant, State Capitol
*Legislative Assistant, Capitol Hill
**Trade Association Lobbyist
**Corporate Lobbyist

An MBA is a terrible idea. If you do not want to do law school-- check out GW's Grad School of Political Management (GSPM)- Master's Degree in Legislative Affairs. I think you can do it in one year

Thanks this is insightful, OP!