Green Applicants Far Exceed Green Lobbying Slots

Though "Young lobbyists dream green," this Politico piece summarizes the huge interest students have in environmental advocacy internships, and how there just aren't enough slots to go around! The ratio of internship applicants to slots at Greenpeace was almost 10:1. Students are still willing to work for free, being so passionate about the cause, then organizations can avoid lobbying restrictions. Ben Adley and Erika Lovely wrote:

Young activists say they have several advantages over older lobbyists, including being able to connect with younger Hill staff members.“Members and older staffers are willing to, in the words of a character in ‘Clueless,’ ‘take a chance on an unknown kid,’” said Jennifer Pugh, a Washington lobbyist who leads the Young Leadership Network of the American League of Lobbyists. “You still have to prove that you’re competent, of course. But I find that a lot of folks in Washington remember starting out and are happy to listen to what you have to say and give you a break.

Photo by Matt Redmond