---
title: "How I Got Here"
id: "44371"
type: "post"
slug: "how-i-got-here-2"
published_at: "2018-10-15T05:50:13+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-16T22:56:50+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/15/how-i-got-here-2/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/15/how-i-got-here-2.md"
excerpt: "Nate Smith, the vice president for government relations at the American Traffic Safety Services Association, came into his role in government relations as a congressional intern."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "Advocacy"
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Business"
  - "careers"
  - "internships"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Director"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

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 » How I Got Here

As a congressional intern for Rep. Thomas H. Allen (D-ME), Nate Smith handled constituent issues and helped to solve problems residents were facing. The skills he learned there are ones he still applies to his job at ATSSA, where he’s focused on grassroots lobbying and advocacy strategy. A look at his career journey so far:

### A Working History

**2005:** Congressional Intern for Rep. Thomas H. Allen

**2006:** Researcher for University of New Hampshire Justiceworks

**2006-2009:** Senior Government Relations Specialist at National Court Reporters Association

**2010-2014:** Associate Director of Government Relations at American Traffic Safety Services Association

**2014-2015:** Director of Government Relations at American Traffic Safety Services Association

**2015-:** Vice President of Government Relations at American Traffic Safety Services Association

[ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

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 [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/)
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 [#internships](https://associationsnow.com/tag/internships/)

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