Today’s post comes from current Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow Elliot Friedman.

For the past three years, I have had the incredible privilege to learn and grow as a Bryce Harlow Fellow. When I first applied for the fellowship program, I never could have imagined how fortunate I was to join a group that is dedicated to promoting ethical advocacy and enriching the lives of professional advocates. However, after the last three years, I know that I could not have grown into the lobbyist I am today or represent my association the way I do today without what I have learned from my time as a Bryce Harlow Fellow.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the Bryce Harlow Fellowship is the mentoring each fellow receives. During the year, each fellow is as assigned a mentor who is an active lobbyist and member of the Bryce Harlow Board. The Bryce Harlow staff considers the preferences of each mentee and mentor when choosing mentoring pairs and tries to find each fellow a mentor well suited for their specialty and professional goals. In my time as a fellow, each of my mentors has helped me in different ways including career planning, giving strategic advice, or welcoming me into the network of all of the lobbyists in his firm. One of these relationships has developed so strongly over time, that my association now regularly co-sponsors events with my mentor’s lobbying firm. My association would not have had access to or known about these events without the relationship I have with my mentor. Furthermore, while each fellow has an individual mentor mentee relationship, the Bryce Harlow beoard is also a dynamic network, full of members who are easily accessible and happy to assist fellows as they move to advance in the advocacy world.

Beyond the mentorship that I have received as a fellow, the friendships and connections I have made with other fellows have been some of the most rewarding parts of the fellowship program. Developing connections with colleagues while simultaneously balancing a full time job in advocacy or government with the pursuit of a graduate degree is a difficult task. However, the Bryce Harlow Foundation has built an incredible network for current and former fellows to use for professional, academic, and social pursuits. The Bryce Harlow Foundation fosters this through regular events with members of the board, including a fantastic “people you should know” lunch series, introducing fellows to a wide assortment of speakers designed to assist in each fellow’s professional development. Additionally, fellows often get together informally to continue building relationships.

Finally, the generosity of the foundation to its fellows is quite meaningful. Graduate school is an expensive endeavor, and the financial assistance has given me serious relief in meeting my financial obligations as I pursue my degree.

Again, I cannot overstate the benefit I have received from the Bryce Harlow Foundation over the past three years. If you are eligible, I highly encourage you to apply. I look forward to welcoming you as a Bryce Harlow Alumni to one of the best organizations in Washington.

Elliot Friedman is the Legislative Representative and PAC Manager for the National Association of Postal Supervisors and is a third year evening student at The George Washington University Law School.