After graduating from Yale in 2013, J.D. Vance spent approximately two years working in the legal profession. However, his career took a significant turn when he accepted a series of job opportunities provided by Peter Thiel, a key figure in his professional development.

One of Vance's early roles was as the Director of Operations at Circuit Therapeutics, a biotech firm. Thiel, known for his eclectic references, had previously named his venture capital firm Mithril Capital after "Mithril," a fictional metal from J.R.R. Tolkien’s *Lord of the Rings*, emphasizing his interest in innovative and transformative ideas.

Thiel played a crucial role in promoting Vance’s memoir, *Hillbilly Elegy*, which gained widespread attention and acclaim. Among its supporters was Donald Trump Jr., who became a significant ally in Vance’s political journey. Despite Vance’s earlier critical remarks about Trump—referring to him as “America’s Hitler” and “cultural heroin”—Trump Jr. helped Vance secure a place within the Trump campaign.

In addition to his political aspirations, Vance sought to address the issue of addiction in Ohio by founding Our Ohio Renewal. His motivation stemmed from personal experiences, particularly his mother’s struggles with addiction, which he candidly discussed in *Hillbilly Elegy*. However, the initiative faced criticism for its lack of tangible impact. It primarily funded a year-long residency for a single addiction specialist, who had previously worked with Purdue Pharma—an organization often criticized for its role in the opioid crisis—raising concerns about the effectiveness of Vance’s efforts in combating addiction.