Sloane Salzburg (’12)
Vice President
Horizon Government Affairs
Go to as many events as you can and meet people. … You never know when someone you meet might have a position open presently or in the future, and if you keep in touch, your name could be at the top of their list for outreach.
About Sloane
Sloane Salzburg graduated in 2012 with an M.S. in Biomedical Science Policy & Advocacy. She joined Horizon Government Affairs (HGA) in 2013 after working on the Hill as a Health Policy Fellow for a member of Congress. In her role at HGA, Sloane runs several coalitions, including the Council for Affordable Health Coverage and the Campaign for Transformative Therapies. She manages healthcare policy and advocacy for various clients, and helps lead general office operations for the team. Sloane is also Vice Chair of the Board for the Autoimmune Association.
What strategies did you use to build your network and find job opportunities?
- Speaking opportunities – in the beginning of my career I did a lot of public speaking at briefings and conferences, which was an “easier” way to talk about what I know to a bunch of people at once. It switched up the paradigm of me trying to seek out people to talk to about work-related issues to people approaching me after talks.
- I headed up a newsletter at the beginning of my career for a niche policy topic that got my name out there to a bunch of people, which helped down the line for name recognition.
- Finally – talking to people about non-work topics. I know this sounds simple, but by creating genuine relationships built on themes outside of the work/policy arena, you make impressions on people that help cement you in their minds. I’ve had so many incredible opportunities presented to me from people I met one year because they remembered me years later.
If you could go back and change anything about your job search process, what would it be and why?
I got really lucky with my fellowship on Capitol Hill that opened so many doors. I don’t think I’d change anything, but if I could live an alternate life – I think I’d like to work on the Hill for a little longer. I only worked as a Fellow for a year in the House, and I think taking the step to work over in the Senate would have been interesting.
What advice would you give to current or prospective students looking to get into your line of work?
Go to as many events as you can and meet people. Networking is key in the policy/political arena. You never know when someone you meet might have a position open presently or in the future, and if you keep in touch, your name could be at the top of their list for outreach.