How to Become a Lobbyist

Prepare yourself for a career as a lobbyist by following some specific steps to get into the field. Lobbyists work to represent the interests of specific clients or groups of people in the legal and governmental realms, which can be a very rewarding job if you are fighting for causes you care about.

Education

Lobbyists must be educated both about the areas they lobby for and general government and politics. If you will be looking for a career as a general lobbyist working for a firm that provides services for a variety of clients, a degree in political science or government is the best choice. If you plan to work as a lobbyist for a specific group, getting a degree in that area with a minor in political science is a better choice.

Experience

Begin moving toward working as a lobbyist by getting involved in politics in your area. Attend political rallies, large fundraising events and government meetings in your area to start making connections with other people who lobby and with the people you will be trying to influence. You can also get an internship with an organization that participates in lobbying activities to get a taste of what lobbying entails and gain some real-world experience.

Having work experience in your field will also help you understand the interests of the groups you will represent. One place to start is by getting a job in the field and being a part of the work force that you will later represent. You can then move up into the public relations department of a company, where you will learn more about the types of causes that lobbyists fight for and how to go about effecting real change.

Employment

There are three main ways to work as a lobbyist. The first is to come on staff with a firm that handles lobbying for clients in general or for clients in a specific type of field. Second, you could work as an exclusive lobbyist on staff at the company for which you are lobbying. The last is to work as a contractor directly with groups that need lobbyists. This track is best for people who care about a specific cause and aren't necessarily as interested in making a lot of money. For a more consistent income, you will likely need to work with a firm that has more of a reputation and a steady flow of clients or for a large company that has many political interests for which it needs representation.

Registering

If you work as an independent lobbyist, you may need to register with the United States Senate for national lobbying or with the jurisdiction in your area for local lobbying. Registration thresholds are based on how much you earn from each client, what percentage of your time is spent lobbying, and several other factors that the governing body sets. If you work for a lobbying firm, you are covered under your firm's registration.