Career: Public Interest Advocates
How do voters decide what to vote for? How do legislators decide what to sign into law?
If you choose to become a public interest advocate, you'll get to affect both groups. You'll work for an organization that represents a cause you believe in, such as abortion rights or gun control. You'll research your issue. Then, armed with facts, you'll work to get voters and legislators to support your position.
Public interest advocates work to affect government policies and raise public awareness concerning issues that they believe are in the public interest.
Did You Know?
- Public interest advocates often work for lobbies (groups of people working to influence legislators) or think tanks (organizations where people do research on technological or societal problems).
Are You Ready To...?
- Do research
- Write and speak persuasively
- Stay well informed about your issue
- Use every mode of communication: fax, phone, email, and face-to-face conversations as well as mass media
- Make compromises
It Helps to Be...
Fascinated by the political process -- you'll be working at the heart of it. You'll need determination, creativity, and communication skills in order to make an impact on voters and legislators. Be ready to make deals without abandoning your goals.
Make High School Count
- Find out more by visiting the websites advocating for your favorite causes.
- Get involved in school issues such as AIDS awareness by joining the student government or other student organizations.
- Volunteer or intern with a lobbying group involved in a cause you care about.
- Read the news to keep up with local and national politics.
- Practice expressing your beliefs in and outside of class -- backed up by facts, of course.
Did You Know?
- Some public interest advocates devote themselves to toy safety. Lots of toys have parts that children could choke on, yet carry no warning labels.
