In between college and graduate school, Cronin worked in Ecuador as a WorldTeach volunteer, teaching English at the Universidad Técnica de Manabí in Portoviejo.

The following year, Cronin served as press secretary for State Representative Dave Bieter in his successful bid for Mayor of Boise.

Cronin ran for office in 2004, for the Idaho House seat in District 19 that was vacated by longtime Representative Ken Robison.

Each year, the Aspen Institute selects 24 “rising stars” in state or local government from around the nation for a two-year fellowship, designed to foster thoughtful leadership, bi-partisan collaboration, and new approaches to problem solving.

[16] Following the 2011 legislative session, Cronin was named an MVP by the Idaho Public Employees Association along with Senator Dean Cameron (R-Rupert).

[18] And in December 2011, New DEAL Leaders—a group of "pro-growth progressives" headed up by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska)--announced that Cronin was one of their honorees.