Navigating the complexities of government and policy advocacy is no small feat, but recent political science graduate Rachel Pratt is already making her mark as an associate at Venn Strategies, a prominent government relations and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C.
Pratt graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2023 with a bachelor's degree in political science, concentrating in U.S. government, law, and policy, and minoring in interdisciplinary legal studies and criminology. During her time at CSU, Pratt served as a research and editorial assistant for associate professor Peter Harris and completed an internship with Representative Joe Neguse as part of the Colorado Legislative Internship in Spring 2023.
Pratt started with Venn Strategies in July 2023 as a client services associate, supporting multiple groups within the firm, including Healthcare, Tax and Financial Services, and Critical Infrastructure. In May 2024, she was promoted to associate on the Healthcare Team, where she engages in policy analysis, federal advocacy, regulatory oversight, and comprehensive research to effectively advance her clients' interests.
In August 2024, Pratt received the Venn Strategies Quality Award, which honors employees who make exceptional contributions to a supportive and positive work environment. This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond their duties to help colleagues excel and balance team workloads, proactively addressing team needs and fostering a collegial atmosphere.
We recently caught up with Pratt, who shared valuable insights from her experiences and the lessons she learned along the way.
How did the internships and research positions you held during your time at CSU influence your career trajectory?
During my time at CSU, my internship with Rep. Neguse gave me hands-on experience in legislative processes, communicating with constituents, conducting policy research, and collaborating with federal agencies. This experience gave me insight into how policy is shaped at the federal level and directly influenced my current work at Venn Strategies, where I manage legislative and regulatory efforts across a wide range of issues, particularly in health and patient advocacy. My role as a research assistant for Dr. Harris was also very impactful. The focus on human rights issues helped me develop a passion for policy solutions rooted in rigorous research, which has been a cornerstone of my work in advocating for health equity and policy reform today. My legal assistant position as well was one of the most valuable in shaping the research-driven and straightforward style of writing required in this line of work.
How did your coursework translate into practical skills or knowledge in your current role?
My coursework laid a solid foundation for what I do now, particularly in my writing and research skills. It also gave me a strong understanding of legal frameworks and the intersection of law and policy, which I draw on regularly in my work with health equity organizations and patient advocacy coalitions. I think it's important to note that the academic writing style taught in school can be helpful in terms of laying out arguments and being able to back it up with research. However, that style of writing is not widely used in this career sector, particularly in D.C.
Looking back, what are the three most important lessons from your undergraduate experience that shaped your career?
First, the importance of building strong relationships. Building a community with your professors, advisors, and classmates is an invaluable habit in this line of work - I am continuously working in the context of forming relationships.
Second, is the importance of adaptability. Between balancing coursework, internships, and extracurricular activities, I quickly realized that being flexible and open to new challenges is essential in any career, especially if you are trying to work in the pace demanded by this sector.
Lastly, I would say the value of applying research and critical thinking to real-world issues. My research and legal assistant roles taught me how to take academic and legal research and turn it into actionable insights, something that has been key in federal advocacy and policy reform work.