Mercer May, L'17

Mercer's headshot

Current Title and Employer: Public Affairs Manager at Capital Results

Current Location: Richmod, Virginia

Describe your job in 50 words or less: Legislative advocacy in today's complex public affairs environment often requires a comprehensive approach that may involve some combination of traditional lobbying, grassroots advocacy, public relations and other types of communications. At Capital Results I work to provide clients with an array of solutions on local, state, and national and policy issues.

Explain how your got to your job in 100 words or less: By building a network of friends, colleagues, and peers through work. School and grades are obviously important, but it’s this network of people who will know your value and when job opportunities arise they are the ones that will be the gatekeepers. Most of the jobs, gigs, and internships I have gotten over the past decade have come by word of mouth. The government relations community here in Richmond is full of thoughtful, intelligent, and outgoing professionals who are happy to help the next generation get established. So, go get coffee with someone you admire.

What makes you passionate about your work, in 100 words or less? The policy. Nothing is better than becoming a subject matter expert in a topic – whether it be healthcare regulation or UAV drone law – and then playing a role in shaping the public policy around those subjects. Getting the opportunity to build and learn from personal connections with legislators, executive branch officials, and other stakeholders (including Fortune 100 C-Suites, start-ups, and non-profits) has given me an incredible amount of insight into complex, technical issues that are heavily impacting all of our day-to-day lives. If being on the cutting edge of technology, legislation, innovation, and regulation is intriguing to you, lobbying may be a good home for your career!

What are 3 pieces of advice you’d offer to current students interested in a career path?

    1. Work more. I did quite a few unpaid gigs during the General Assembly session or over the summer. Those will pay off in the end (refer to answer 5).
    2. Express yourself. If you’re at Richmond Law, it’s fair to say that you’re likely a good person – so don’t be afraid to be yourself. This industry, though conservative in many ways, is very progressive in self-expression. Individuality is golden. Also, it’s very easy to tell when people are not being genuine – and no one likes that.
    3. Find a mentor. Whether it be for a month or a decade, finding people who are willing to take an interest in your growth is essential to becoming the best you can be. Learn from the wisdom of our more experienced colleagues.