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Christine, Policy & Legislative Advocate at Health Access California: Advize Career Interview
A career as a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California offers a dynamic path, starting with internships in college focused on political campaigns and communications.
The role is a blend of data analysis, lobbying, and public speaking, with responsibilities ranging from advocating for Medicaid funding in Senate hearings to collaborative coalition building.
Essential skills include public speaking, networking, policy analysis, and Excel proficiency. What makes this career exciting is the constant change due to new legislation, allowing one to continuously learn and advocate on diverse issues.
Challenges exist, such as resource constraints and opposing viewpoints, but a tenacious spirit is key. The nonprofit sector is a surprisingly fast-paced and supportive environment, with campaign skills proving valuable.
Success is achieved through patience, accuracy, and networking. Practical experience and building a network in college through internships and leadership roles are critical.
Leveraging opportunities and being open to learning and referral connections can unlock this exciting and impactful career path, even when one is a woman in a male dominated field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christine Smith
Policy & Legislative Advocate
Health Access California
UC Berkeley
University of San Francisco: Masters in Public Administration
Political Science, American Studies
Nonprofit
Communication and Marketing
Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
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Career Path Of A Policy And Legislative Advocate At Health Access California
While in college, Christine pursued numerous internships in areas such as political campaigns and communications, as well as working for an opposition research firm, to gain experience and build a network; these experiences ultimately "set [them] up really nicely" by providing recommendations and referrals leading to a political researcher role and later a policy analysis job, which eventually led to the current role as a Policy and Legislative Advocate.
Main Responsibilities of a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California
As a Policy and Legislative Advocate for Health Access California, Christine's main responsibilities encompass data analysis and research, especially concerning federal responses to save Medicaid, as well as lobbying, where they specialize in the state budget, attending "a tremendous amount of hearings and...meetings" to advocate for proposals like the health route campaign, but also noting work on around "20 other pieces of legislation". The role is a blend of public engagement, including public speaking, and in-depth analytical and writing tasks.
A Day in the Life of a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California
A day in the life of a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California involves direct advocacy, like providing "two minutes of public comment" at a Senate Budget Subcommittee hearing to advocate for Medicaid funding. Work also includes collaborative coalition building through conference calls and strategic planning with multiple organizations to prepare for upcoming hearings.
Most Important Skills for a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California
For a Policy & Legislative Advocate at Health Access California, "public speaking is really key," especially in hearings and meetings, as is networking with legislative staff and lobbyists; moreover, the role also requires strong data and policy analysis skills, including research and Excel proficiency, to support broader advocacy efforts, which Christine enjoys because it combines lobbying with data analysis.
Favorite Parts of Being a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California
Christine enjoys the dynamic and ever-changing nature of being a Policy & Legislative Advocate at Health Access California, stating that "every year is really different" due to the constant influx of new legislative bills, which allows for continuous learning and advocating on diverse issues such as telehealth and maternity care deserts. The career professional appreciates the opportunity to work with different partners and delve into new topics like prior authorization each year, fostering a stimulating and intellectually rewarding career.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Policy And Legislative Advocate At Health Access California
Christine's biggest challenge as a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California is navigating situations where "there's just not enough resources" or facing opposition rooted in fundamentally different beliefs, particularly when advocating for policies like healthcare for undocumented people where some groups oppose it entirely; additionally, the presence of mansplaining is a frequent frustration. Even though "sometimes days can be frustrating," there's a persistence to continuing to "engage and like continue to advocate for what I think is important."
Favorite Parts of Working in the Nonprofit Industry as a Policy and Legislative Advocate
Christine enjoys the flexibility, support, and fast-paced nature of nonprofit advocacy, finding it a "really fun place to be" due to its dynamic environment and various opportunities to contribute despite knowing other sectors might offer better benefits. Health Access California is a well-managed organization, and the advocacy goals of past and present organizations make the work enjoyable.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Public Policy Industry, According To A Policy And Legislative Advocate At Health Access California
To thrive as a Policy and Legislative Advocate, Christine suggests being an extroverted public speaker with big-picture thinking, policy analysis skills, and the ability to clearly articulate details for advocacy; also, being "tenacious" and willing to continuously work towards the causes one finds most important is critical for success in this field.
What A Policy & Legislative Advocate At Health Access California Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Nonprofit Industry
Christine wishes that someone would have told them about the nonprofit sector as a viable career path, especially coming from a background in political campaigns, because they were unaware of how applicable campaign skills are to nonprofits. The role offers a similar "fast-paced environment" to political campaigns, but with the added benefit of "stable healthcare" and the ability to establish a more permanent lifestyle.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Policy Advocates Health Access California
For aspiring policy and legislative advocates, Christine suggests internships, especially through programs like UC Sacramento, as a great way to gain experience, and also recommends entry-level jobs such as "policy advocate or policy associate" - while these positions may include "a little bit more admin pieces" initially, Health Access California has intentionally provided learning opportunities and growth, with one staff member moving from administrative tasks to staffing a bill and testifying in committee.
Significant Career Lesson From A Policy And Legislative Advocate At Health Access California
As a Policy and Legislative Advocate, Christine has learned the importance of patience and accuracy, noting that "getting your task as right as possible" is a hard but vital lesson, particularly when learning something new. Taking the time to do quality work, double-checking deadlines, and maintaining open communication with a manager are also key to success in their field.
College Experiences That Helped A Policy And Legislative Advocate At Health Access California Succeed
To prepare for a career as a Policy and Legislative Advocate at Health Access California, Christine focused on gaining practical experience and building a network in college, including "a lot of internships" and holding a leadership position in California College Democrats, which led to connections with people she "actually work[s] with right now" in state lobbying. The career professional emphasizes the importance of getting involved in activities one is passionate about and ensuring the resume "at least has something on it" to secure recommendations and have a plan after graduation.
How Identity Has Influenced a Policy and Legislative Advocate's Career at Health Access California
As a woman in a male-dominated field, Christine has strategically leveraged opportunities like the Solis Policy Institute fellowship designed to address underrepresentation in legislative spaces. Christine has found that women "generally have different ways of getting things done" and have built strong, supportive networks that offer invaluable mentorship and strategies for navigating communication styles and professional presentation in the workplace.
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