Feature

Public Advocacy: Real World Perspectives

In the third discussion of a four-part panel series, leaders at Chicago nonprofits talked about their career paths and experiences in the field of public advocacy. Organized by Career Services and featuring Harris School Mentors, the series, “Real World Perspectives for Policy Students,” was designed to provide students access to personal perspectives of seasoned policy practitioners. Throughout the series students have gained firsthand knowledge of industry-specific career paths, the impact of relevant policy legislation to organizations, thoughts on the future of specific industries, and tips from the experts on how best to get involved.

Moderated by Professor Robert J. LaLonde, last week’s panel included Daniel Luchins, chief of mental health research, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center / University of Illinois at Chicago; E. Hoy McConnell II, executive director, Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI); Sophia Siskel, president and CEO, Chicago Botanic Gardens; Erma Tranter, executive director, Friends of the Parks; Karen Witter, associate director, Illinois State Museum.

“Advocacy is essential in the city of Chicago and most big cities,” said Tranter, who noted Chicago’s large number of nonprofit organizations. As for her career, she started out as an urban planner in Detroit in the 1970s, but was able combine her interests in urban planning and environmental issues with her love of Chicago and eventually accepted a job as a planner at Friends of the Park. In 1982, she became president of the organization.

McConnell characterized himself as a “Johnny come lately” to the nonprofit field after 35 years in advertising. But he said, “I found that my advertising and communications background had tremendous carry over advantage in this world,” explaining that clear and effective written and verbal communications are essential in advocacy and public policy.

Luchins, a psychiatrist, spoke specifically to some of the challenges scientists may face if interested in working in the advocacy field. Luchins pointed out that, “You succeed in what’s fundable, not that for which you want to advocate.” He said a scientist’s options can include working for a think tank or advocacy group aligned with his or her values or working for the government. But, often this may not be the best option as some “analytical skills may not be appreciated in government.” Luchins had to create an opportunity for himself by working simultaneously in government and academia and discussed his career at the state’s Division of Mental Health.

Besides talking about her career in state government, Witter also touched upon key issues for state policy. “The budget is so dramatically impacting issues across the state,” she said. She discussed the “trickle down effect” which is now creating difficulty in filling open positions.

Siskel identified green collar jobs as a “growing, exiting movement where we really need people who know what they’re doing.” She explained that Botanic Gardens has spent the last six months researching and spending time with people in urban faming and jobs that aim to improve the environment. Siskel said they hope to build a large scale urban farm on a five-acre brownfield in the city where they can grow food and host green job training programs.

Learn more about the previous panels in the series.