Abstract: “Working in policy” is a phrase we hear tossed around, but what does that really entail? What are the professional roles that exist in science policy? What is it like working on climate policy in the current culture of division and polarization? What kinds of skills can we in the scientific community practice to become better advocates for ourselves and the scientific process? This interactive talk starts the conversation around these questions by relaying the perspectives of a wide variety of professionals gathered for the inaugural American Meteorological Society (AMS) Climate Policy colloquium. Specifically focused on the federal policy process, this annual weeklong immersive event took place in December 2024 and was an incredible primer on the world of policy. We will broadly cover the following topics: the reality of policy, the current political situation, scientific communication for policy, what is a career in policy, and finish with a budget experiment to pull it all together. Bring an open mind, your reading glasses, some scratch paper, and a pen/pencil and find out what it takes to make an impact in policy.