On a trip to Washington, D.C., Brianna met Senator Herb Kohl, who represents her home state of Wisconsin.

Soul Profit
Finding a Career with Personal Benefits

By Brianna, 17
"By Girls, For Girls" National Advisory Committee member

Have you ever played the game M.A.S.H.? I used to play it in middle school with my friends as a fun way to predict things like who we'd marry and where we'd live: Mansion, Apartment, Shack, or House (get it?). Of course, the most desirable home was the mansion.

Dreamin' Dollars

Now that I'm in my senior year of high school, my friends and I are narrowing down our life goals (without the help of M.A.S.H.). Some friends are getting jobs right out of high school so they can make money, buy a nice car, and live on their own. Others dream of being the next Trump and plan to major in business.

Like them, I once envisioned a mansion in my future—but my goals have changed. I plan to double major in government and theatre. Theater's a natural choice to major in because I'm passionate about acting and have been in tons of plays! Majoring in government, however, is the first step toward my career goal of being a government advocate.

What Do They Do?

Government advocates are the voice of an organization. They work in the nation's capital to gain support for legislation that benefits their organization.

For example, Girl Scouts of the USA has an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. I met the director, Susan Goldberg, at one of my By Girls, For Girls Committee meetings. Susan talks to Congressional representatives and convinces them to vote in support of Girl Scouting— and she loves her job!

Last March, I went to Washington, D.C., with the BGFG Committee as part of Girl Scouts of the USA's Capitol Hill Day. I met with my state senators to encourage them to support GSUSA. It felt so natural to talk with them! It was then that I decided I wanted to be a government advocate.

An Easy Choice

I probably won't get rich being a government advocate for a non-profit organization like Girl Scouts of the USA. So what? Girl Scouting has given me awesome opportunities, and I want to make sure other girls to have the chance to get involved, too.

By working as a government advocate, I can better the lives of young girls. I may be forfeiting my mansion, but I'm sure my apartment in D.C. will be cute enough when frugally decorated. Sometimes, making a difference is better than making millions.