Stone by Stone: How Rhodes Shaped My Career
Anders Reynolds ’04
Anders has spent most of his career at the intersection of politics and environmental policy, working in the past with The Pew Charitable Trusts on U.S. public land protection and as Legislative Director for a Member of Congress, where his portfolio included agriculture and natural resource issues. Currently, he serves as Federal Legislative Director for the Southern Environmental Law Center, where he builds and maintains strong working relationships with Members of Congress and their staffs, offering policy expertise and legislative drafting support, while also advancing SELC's conservation goals by determining winning legislative strategies that often rely on the construction of resilient coalitions of diverse stakeholders. In the past, Anders also worked in the Obama Administration and has extensive federal and state campaign experience. He graduated in 2004 with a Theatre major and spent his first-year post-graduation working as an actor for Playhouse on the Square in Memphis.
How Rhodes Shaped My Career
Theatre may seem like the most distant cousin of politics, but when you realize how much each field prioritizes "reaction" as a skill, you begin to understand how similar the two fields really are. My theatre coursework really honed that skill, and my professors encouraged me to explore the overlap of theatre with social change, introducing me to Brecht and Boal and loads of other creators who understood theatre as a political act. Beyond my major, Rhodes gave me an incredibly valuable skill: I can write. You'd be amazed how many writing samples I see that make me wonder about the state of the modern English Department. But that's never the case with Rhodes graduates - they all know how to write, and it puts them ahead of the curve!
Mentors and Mentoring
I feel lucky to have benefited from great mentorship over the years, especially from Rhodes alums who welcomed me into the DC community. They offered introductions to new networks, job leads, housing tips, and a sense of belonging during my early career. Mentorship works best when both mentor and mentee agree on a shared strategy for growth. Honest conversations about what support is possible (for the mentor) and what’s needed (for the mentee) are key to building a meaningful relationship.
As a mentor to current Rhodes students, I find it incredibly rewarding to connect with the next generation. New graduates bring fresh perspectives and keep me aware of how much the job search has evolved since I was stretching two internships into a full-page resume. Mentoring helps me stay energized, and it’s a great way to give back to the community that shaped me.