The world's oceans face countless challenges that call for policy and management decisions informed by science. There is a growing interest among students and scientists to engage with policymakers to fill this gap. We propose the panel format for this session to encourage dialogue among panelists and attendees. We will identify up to 5 panelists who will present their experiences working in policy and provide advice to attendees for getting engaged, either as a career or as a way to make their research policy-relevant. We will invite panelists with a diversity of careers (both in and outside of academia), backgrounds, and nationalities. Topics to be discussed will include strategies for communicating science to lawmakers, policy success stories, science policy fellowships and other opportunities available, career advice, and the ongoing efforts to broaden the reach of science into policy and management decisions.