On July 13 and 14, the Leadership Institute held the very first Think Tank Opportunity Workshop.  Eighty-six conservatives attended to learn how they can successfully build a career in this field. 

The workshop contributes to the Leadership Institute’s mission to increase the size and effectiveness of conservative activists because conservative think tanks are only effective in influencing public policy if they have principled conservatives, passionate about quality research, working for them.  

Following the workshop, feedback was overwhelmingly positive with one attendee remarking; “An excellent program with generous speakers and staff.  All speakers were willing to network with students involved and were very willing to invest in our futures!”

Due to the success of the Think Tank Opportunity Workshop, the Leadership Institute will be holding another on November 6 and 7, 2017.

You can probably recall a number of sobering moments in your life where you had the opportunity to either step up or retreat from a challenge. 

When I was 23, I moved to the United States from the UK to work for the Leadership Institute.  The prospect to work in the American conservative movement for an organization like LI, which is so pivotal, was an exciting one.

However exciting the opportunity, I remember the moment I arrived at my accommodation.  I put my cases down and froze.  It dawned on me that I had just quit my job, and left the security of my friends and family.  It was a scary prospect; but nine months later, I would recommend the experience to anybody.

Here are five reasons you should consider working for a conservative movement abroad.

When I think about the conservative movement, I realize many staff are close friends outside of work, and some even live in the same house.  We are a closely tied movement, and that is a good thing.

Within individual organizations, working alongside people you have strong relationships with means you are more likely to enjoy your job and collaborate on projects; it creates a positive working environment. 

But here are some things to consider when your work life and your personal life intertwine.

Make your own decisions  

Remember that you are responsible for the decisions you make at work.  If they are successful, then you take credit; if they are bad decisions, then you have to face the consequences.  In the latter circumstance, nothing would sting more than...

I remember reciting my first speech – “Respect the flag . . . “ – those are the only words I remember, maybe because that’s the title.

Although I don’t remember the words, I do remember the feeling I had as a seven-year-old reciting the poem from memory in front of judges and others I didn’t know.

I was nervous. I had butterflies. And I knew I didn’t want to mess up.

I adjusted my sparkly Uncle Sam hat and waited for the judge’s nod while my heart seemed to pound out of my chest.

I drew a deep breath and began the poem. With shaky hands I...