A life insurance company, a healthcare insurer that serves as a Medicare contractor and a utilities company that delivers natural gas: What do all of these groups have in common? They are all examples of organizations that may hire lobbyists to represent their interests to lawmakers and other governmental decision-makers.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Lobbyists play a significant role in the inner workings of the government. Most of them may never become household names, but they provide the grease that turns the wheels of the political machine in the United States. Interested in learning how to become a lobbyist? Explore this career guide to learn more.

A lobbyist is a professional who works within the political system to influence legislation, regulations and policy decisions. They liaise with state and federal government workers and elected officials in order to advocate on behalf of the interests of their clients.

Clients may include special interest groups, nonprofits, labor unions and corporations. The clientele of lobbyists can span across a wide spectrum of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, insurance, universities, utilities, hospitals and securities and investments.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Because lobbyists can exercise considerable sway over public policymaking, these professionals are expected to follow strict ethical guidelines intended to prevent abuse of the lobbying system. Lobbyists are expected to convey only honest, truthful information to public officials and other stakeholders, for example, and they must strictly obey all campaign finance laws.^{(See disclaimer 2 )}The lobbyist profession is tightly regulated to reduce the likelihood of abuse, requiring lobbyists to file reports on their activities every quarter.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

If you’re thinking of pursuing a career as a lobbyist, consider looking beyond questions like, What is a lobbyist? and dive into what lobbyists do on a day-to-day basis.

When executives at a company or other organization believe it would be in their best interests to educate politicians and lawmakers of the needs of their industry, they may hire lobbyists to advocate on their behalf to establish or revoke certain policies. What does a lobbyist do, exactly?

For example, a manufacturing corporation might hire a lobbyist to loosen environmental regulations, or conversely, an environmental protection nonprofit might hire a lobbyist to try to persuade lawmakers to tighten environmental protections. Some lobbyists decide to specialize in certain areas, such as healthcare, oil and gas, insurance or technology. Advocating for a client’s interests requires a deep knowledge of the industry-specific issues involved.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Although every day might look a little different, a lobbyist is generally responsible for the following tasks:

• Developing a comprehensive knowledge of the client’s industry, issues and interests
• Meeting with lawmakers and other decision-makers to discuss the issues at hand
• Preparing and giving presentations to policymakers about the client’s needs
• Creating and distributing press releases and representing the client’s interests to the media
• Responding to regulatory inquiries

Before exploring the lobbyist education requirements, it can be helpful to dive into the different types of lobbyists in the field. Knowing what type of lobbyist you want to become may influence your career pathway.

Direct Lobbyists

Direct lobbyists work with elected officials and their staff members. Through direct communication with these decision-makers, lobbyists try to influence the legislator’s vote on specific pieces of legislation.

Grassroots Lobbyists

Because some politicians may consider the preferences of their constituents when voting on legislation, grassroots lobbyists work to influence public opinion. This is an indirect approach to influencing policy decisions and laws. Grassroots lobbyists may encourage constituents to reach out to the offices of their elected officials to share their opinions about specific pieces of legislation.

Public Affairs Specialists

Public affairs specialists aren’t exactly lobbyists. Rather, they handle public relations for a company or other organization. They attempt to influence public opinions about the organization and curate a positive brand image. Public affairs specialists may also develop relationships with government officials to advocate for an organization’s interests, but the role is generally distinct from public policy jobs, such as the role of lobbyists.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

If the idea of becoming a lobbyist appeals to you, you can get started right now on your career path, even if you’re still in high school. Talk to your high school counselor about your career plans and see if you can add any courses that may be relevant to your goals.

In addition, consider joining a debate club or similar extracurricular activity. Lobbyists need polished communication skills. Consider looking for other activities that can help you build other needed skills, such as conflict resolution, organization, networking and interpersonal skills.^{(See disclaimer 4)}

There are no strict lobbyist education requirements, but aspiring lobbyists should generally plan on earning at least a bachelor’s degree. Look for a degree that offers courses in areas like government, law, public relations, communications or similar classes.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

During your college years and after graduation, you’ll want to explore internship opportunities at relevant organizations. Professional networking is important for lobbyists^{(See disclaimer 3)} and you may be able to build your network during internships. Look for internships that give you an inside look at governance, such as a role as a congressional aide or an intern at a state legislature.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree

There is considerable flexibility regarding your choice of degree program as an aspiring lobbyist. Consider earning a degree that allows you to take classes relevant to your future career, such as classes in government and politics, political theory, the U.S. Constitution, public policy analysis and research methods used in government and politics. You might also look for a degree that offers a curriculum that emphasizes communication techniques and skills.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

You’ll have the opportunity to take some electives during your time as an undergraduate student. If you already know which particular areas you might like to specialize in as a lobbyist (e.g., healthcare or insurance), you may want to use your electives to take courses relevant to those areas.

Consider Earning a Master’s Degree

Although a master’s degree isn’t a strict requirement for lobbyists, earning one may be beneficial for your career goals. A master’s degree can allow you to develop in-depth expertise in areas such as governance and public policy. Your resume may also gain more professional credibility.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

Complete a Relevant Internship or Other Entry-Level Work

If you didn’t complete an internship as an undergrad, or even if you did, it’s a good idea to apply for an internship after graduation. Remember that networking is an important aspect of effective lobbying.^{(See disclaimer 3)} It may be in your best interest to look for an internship or an entry-level job that may enable you to meet with high-profile individuals and learn about relevant political issues.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Grand Canyon University is pleased to offer numerous degrees for individuals interested in studying communications, governance, politics and constitutional law. Consider enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies degree program. If you’d like to take your education further, apply to the Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy degree. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about your options at GCU.