Career questions tagged advocacy
As someone in the policy and advocacy field, how do you navigate creating legislation that may not be agreed upon by everybody?
I am a current senior in high school, interested in public policy and international relations. I plan to study at Georgetown University, and I often find myself having differing perspectives from those in my class. So how do I create policy important to me, when what is considered "right" is subjective?
I want to create a club centered around mental health involving youth voices. But I want to expand beyond just a generic informational club and the clubs already established at my school. What type of club can I start?
Hello! Life after high school to me means being a neuropsychologist. I'm very passionate about mental health and the brain. Currently, I am on a youth committee centered around youth voices advocating for mental health, and it has sparked an inspiration to start a club at my school involving mental health. What I see in this club is multiple things: neuroscience, psychology, mental health, policies, advocating, media, and youth voices. At my school, I expect there to already be mental health clubs, but I want to start a club that expands beyond that. I also want to contribute to things, create things, host events, rather than just be an informational club. This is something I'm very passionate about, but I want ideas about potential clubs I can start. I really want to involve different things in this club instead of just focusing on one main thing, for me, I want to involve both neuroscience, psychology, and mental health awareness.
How can I advocate for students of color in my classroom #Fall25?
Particularly, biracial students.
Would this youth human rights nonprofit idea be impactful and worth pursuing?
Hi! I’m a 17-year-old senior from Indiana developing a national youth-led human rights nonprofit focused on empowering underserved and displaced youth through education, storytelling, and advocacy training—giving them the tools to speak for themselves. Im trying to fill a growing gap in schools and communities: while STEM is prioritized, human rights and civics education are often ignored. Millions of young people grow up without knowing their basic rights—or how to protect them. Even in developed nations, marginalized youth (immigrants, foster children, and minorities) rarely receive legal literacy—and when abuse or injustice happens, reporting systems are confusing, unsafe, or in another language. My nonprofit would focus on things like bringing rights education to schools, shelters, refugee centers, and communities. Giving youth a platform to share their own stories, instead of being covered by journalists. Connecting youth with scholarships, legal aid info, and mental health resources. Also training students to teach rights education and lead advocacy programs. Before launching, I’d love to know from mentors and professionals: Does this sound like a mission you’d want to support or volunteer with? What makes a nonprofit like this stand out or succeed long-term? Any advice on making this idea realistic and scalable? Thank you so much for your feedback—it means a lot as I work to build something that helps youth everywhere find their voice and know their rights.
Which Career Path, Major, & Industry Should I Go Into?
Hello! I’m a high school student preparing to apply to college very soon. I’ve spent the past four years fully immersed in business and marketing—I’ve worked as a marketing intern, served as a state officer for Business Professionals of America, and received multiple awards in the field. I would also say I have a talent for it as I am very creative and business minded. However, recently I’ve experienced a shift. I’ve been deeply drawn to advocacy—especially in supporting underserved communities, advancing youth education globally, and championing women’s rights and access to resources. It feels like this is what I’m truly meant to do, and I want to take that passion to a professional level. I’ve started looking into careers in law, policy, and even advocacy-focused marketing, but I’m still uncertain about the right direction to pursue in college. As someone who’s navigating this transition, I’d be so grateful for any advice you could offer—whether on combining these interests or exploring pathways that align with my purpose.
What type of certifications to navigate a career in crisis prevention?
I have just an associates in marketing management and I would like to know what additional certifications in or centered around ( crisis prevention) ? I want to possibly work with planned parenthood and or similar programs. My passion is lowering numbers of single parent homes AND ADVOCATE the outcomes of children and young adults that were raised in dysfunctional upbringings. There is a direct impact of children and young adults that grow up with dysfunctional single mothers/fathers that couldn't provide them with certain tools AND give them a negative outlook on themselves and the real world affecting their way of functioning in society. It's important to lower the numbers of children/young adults that are force to live a dysfunctional life due to parents who are not ready to be healthy fulfilling parents. This is my passion and goal. I just don't know how to get there and make it into a career with just an associates marketing degree and no certifications ( as of yet) I'm also open to volunteering and interning.
Is there a significant difference between going against the system and changing the system?
There so much going on in the world, and people feel as though their voices are not heard. It's important to know how we can enact change that's fair and equal for all.
How can we advocate for better pay for mental health professionals?
There is a shortage of qualified clinicians, yet salaries are really low. In some agencies, the pay is so low that clinicians cannot make a living wage, let alone pay their living expenses or pay off their student loans. Higher salaries or fees will attract AND retain more professionals.
How to connect/network with those in your community to help advocate for social issues ?
Hey guys! I am starting law school in fall 2025. I really want to get involved in my community while attending law school to network and have a better understanding of what the people in the community are struggling with, so I can advocate for them. This also means I need to make connections with people who hold positions of power so I can speak about these issues with someone who has a better ability to push these issues forward. How do I go about this in a professional way, and who would be the best people to talk to? I know that I'm inexperienced and don't have a lot of knowledge on this. The last thing I want is to come off as a newbie who thinks they know what they are doing or talking about. I don't want to be pushy, but in the past, these worries have kept me from doing what I really want to help my community. Any advice would be great!! Also, other than politics, what type of law career would best fit my goals. #Spring25
What is the best way to approach applying to law schools if I want a career in advocacy work?
Hello everyone! I am currently a junior and I am getting ready to apply to law schools in the fall. I really want to go to law school. I am not interested in big law but in terms of advocacy I can see myself working in housing, education, or anti-poverty generally. Although I know I don't have to attend law school to be in that field, I think it is the best path for me, but I am not entirely sure how to navigate it. Most of my searches about applying to law school have shown results that seem very focused on building a career in corporate law as the final goal but I know that life is not for me.
As a freshman associate student recognizing the critical role of hands-on experience, what strategies can be used to build a strong professional network in communities where victim advocacy is not yet widely acknowledged or supported ?
For students who think ahead, getting an early start can feel overwhelming—especially when resources are limited—but gaining experience as soon as possible is key to building confidence and direction. #Spring25
How do I become a leader and / or executive in the field of permaculture advocacy and design implementation / directing / planning Or would it be better to start my own company?
How do I become a leader and / or executive in the field of permaculture advocacy and design implementation / directing / planning? Or would it be better to start my own company?
How can I impact my country?
I am writing to you with passion for the change I want to see in this world. Not to bring up politics directly, but that is exactly why I feel a sudden urge to dive deeper into careers in advocacy for social justice and human rights. I know there are many jobs in journalism dealing with the discussion of topics like this, but I know I am way too biased to ever maintain a career in political journalism. I was just researching civil rights/advocacy jobs, and many have related majors that I should focus on and earn a degree in. While I am absolutely positively remaining and earning a bachelor's degree in LA/CAR Studies, I was wondering if there would be a minor or concentration, I could add to get more experience in the field of advocacy? Or if there are any clubs you are aware of, rather than putting myself into more debt, that I could join and become an active member? My main interest specifically with LAS is the international side of advocacy, but I also have an interest in civil rights pertaining to women, LGBTQ+, etc... I can't think of a specific one to focus on as I find importance in representation of all. I hope you can make sense of my word spaghetti. Thank you in advance, Hope
What are some virtual volunteering opportunities with organizations?
I have an interest in international organizations and those with a focus on social activism, advocacy, medicine, computer science, or STEM overall. Thanks!
How to make money in advocating for accessibility?
How to make money fighting for disability rights like accessible technologies Note: this question was asked anonymously by a student
Is a job in the government easier to achieve then a job in medicine such as nursing.
I´m not sure what career I want to do yet, but I am interested in these but I just don´t know how I would get there. #jobs #government #advocacy #medicine #nurse #emt
What kind of jobs in disability justice are available in Kentucky?
I'm interested in anything from education to legal work to community building. I'm an advocate with experience in the autistic community who's worked with multiple #disability organizations all over the country. #justice #advocacy #nonprofit #Kentucky #disabilities #law #social-work
In what kind of professions can you do victim/minority advocacy?
#communityoutreach #advocacy #restorativejustice #law #law-enforcement #criminal-justice #community #outreach #nonprofit #service #social-service #social-work
what are the main qualifications and requirments for becoming a victims advocate
I know becoming a advocate you need to prepare yourself not only mentally but Emotionally as well , what would be some of the in things that jobs target and look for in advocates #psychology #advocacy #community #criminal-justice
What jobs are there in specifically science advocacy/outreach and public policy?
I want to pursue science, but I also want to contribute to bridging the current science-policy divide we're facing in America. Are there any careers that deal specifically with these issues? AAAS maybe? #science #public-policy #policy #advocacy #career #career-path
How to get involved in politics as a high school student?
I'd like to get more involved in the political aspect of life, and particularly science advocacy. What are some things I can do as a student that might make a difference? #politics #advocacy #science #lobbying #social-activism #environmental-services
How likely is it I will get an internship as a first year student?
I am a first year, undeclared student and I am looking for internship opportunities for the summer. I live in an area where there are many opportunities for internships but that means many students travel to the area in order to apply. I a specifically looking for internship opportunities in nonprofit and advocacy groups. I assumed I would be able to get an internship but after talking to some students slightly older than I am I learned that companies tend not to hire students unless they are juniors or seniors in college. #internships #nonprofits #freshmen #advocacy
what do i need to study to become a legal advisor?
i want to work as a legal advisor for a firm but i don't have any idea of which field to go for? #commerce #legal-studies #advocacy #legal-advice #legal-writing
Is a minor in women and gender studies a good pairing with a political science/communications major/minor combo?
Women and gender studies as a minor is something I'm interested in, but I'm told it's a useless background to have. Do you think it's still "useless" if I want it to supplement a career in advocacy?? I am semi-lost with this #communications #political-science #gender-studies #advocacy #women-studies