Government Relations and Lobbying Field Guide
- Jessica Smith (Deactivated)
Overview
Government relations, also known as lobbying, consists of individuals and organizations engaged in promoting the interests of their employers or clients. Their activities involve monitoring legislative and executive activities to influence policy, legislation, regulations, or negotiations, on behalf of governments, industries, specific companies, interest groups or constituencies. In Washington, DC, lobbying is regulated by law, calling for disclosure by lobbyists of organizations or clients they represent, LDA (Lobbying Disclosure Act) or FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act). Lobbying requires establishing your goals and agenda before meeting with the legislator, actively listening, building a relationship, and following up unanswered questions or with further information.
Career Opportunities
Most of those seeking careers in lobbying begin with volunteer work on political campaigns for elected public officials, or as legislative staff on Capitol Hill, in State Houses or in governmental agencies. With such experience, graduates can often move to the mid-level of organizations; without such experience, graduates will typically enter in the research area or in roles that support more senior staff. Moving in and out of government, sometimes known as the “revolving door,” usually increases a person’s marketability in both the public sector and private sector. There are few straight line careers in lobbying as these positions are influenced by the ebb and flow of politics, or opportunities in the government. From a position as a research assistant, a person may become an analyst or manager within a lobbying organization or move to a position on the staff of an elected official or government agency.
Types of Jobs
Government affairs manager
Political advocacy/engagement
Federal relations specialist
Government strategist
Government relations
Qualifications + Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Active listening
Understanding of policy processes
Government experience is preferred
PRO TIP: Students interested in lobbying careers should consider volunteering on political campaigns or interning with a government agency. The contacts developed through volunteer work and experience in analyzing issues and understanding government processes, can be invaluable.
Sample Employers
Public Relations Consultants
Burson Marsteller
Edelman
Weber Shandwick
Law and Lobbying Firms
Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck
Hogan Lovells
Quinn Gillespie & Associates
Holland & Knight
EY
Williams & Jensen
Van Scoyoc Associates
Akin Gump
Political Parties
Democratic National Committee
Republican National Committee
Public Interest Organizations
ACLU
Children’s Defense Fund
Common Cause
Innocence Project
Public Citizen
Trade and Professional Organizations
AFL-CIO
National Federation of Independent Businesses Inc.
Parent-Teacher Association
American Federation of Teachers
State and local teacher’s unions
Sample Maxwell Classes
International Trade and Economic Negotiation
Issues in Global Economic and Financial Security
Business and Government in the Global Economy
Central Challenges to National Security Law & Policy
Governance and Global Civil Society
Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations
Ethics and Public Policy
Resources
National Association of State Lobbyists
Public Affairs Council
Related Career Guides
Public Diplomacy and Public Relations
State and Local Government
Consulting