From Campaigns to Classrooms: Teaching a New Generation About Advocacy

As we wrap up our 14th season of EJB Talks Dean Stuart Shapiro talks to Bob Sommer GSNB ’84, a Bloustein School alumnus, lecturer, and member of the school's Advisory Board. As Bob talks about his journey from an accounting major to a career in public policy, he discusses his transition from working on a congressional campaign to roles in government and lobbying. His early career included a stint at the EPA during the Reagan administration, and he highlights how a chance meeting with the late governor, and then Congressman Jim Florio, set him on his path to a career in government affairs. Bob emphasizes that lobbying is a fundamental part of the American system, and explains how advocacy has evolved with time and changes in technology and regulations. Part of his approach to teaching advocacy, he explains, is focusing on practical skills and the importance of listening and adapting to different perspectives, stressing the importance of understanding the other side's arguments while also being able to articulate one's own position effectively.  He concludes by emphasizing the need for more effective advocacy and the role of educators in preparing the next generation of advocates.