There are thousands of political jobs that involve a range of different skills and responsibilities. You can find political jobs almost anywhere in the country. However, to advance in this career, it is helpful to know where to begin and how to identify the career track that is the best fit for your personality and career goals.
Build Your Qualifications
There is no one particular degree or major that you need for every type of job in politics. However, it is helpful to have government training and a bachelor’s degree or better in law, political science, finance, business or a related field. Additionally, many colleges and universities offer extracurricular programs that may aid you in your career, such as speech and debate teams, student body governments and activism clubs.
Gain Experience by Volunteering
You may be able to gain experience through an entry-level job, but many people begin their political careers by volunteering. Most political campaigns rely heavily on volunteer labor. Volunteering on the campaign of a local politician can be a good way to build your resume and make contacts that could help you in your future job search.
You may also be able to find internships through your school. Many internships may have minimum requirements for grade point average, work experience and major. Typical duties performed by interns and volunteers include answering phones, handing out flyers, holding signs, stuffing and addressing envelopes, calling registered voters, holding voter registration drives and organizing fundraisers.
Join a Political Party
While there are a few high-profile independents in politics, most political jobs are tied to one of the major political parties. The various parties align with different value systems and policy priorities. You don’t have to stick with the same party for your entire career, but it can be useful to join the party that most closely aligns with your values and career aspirations. If you aren’t sure which party this is, you can do research online or visit the local offices of the various parties to ask questions.
Get Involved With Your Local Government
Many people get their start in politics at the local government level. A good place to look for entry-level jobs is the mayor’s office of the city you live in or the governor’s office or capitol building for your home state. Working in local government will help you gain experience and build your network. Some people choose to spend their entire careers at the state or local government level, while others use it as a stepping stone to national positions.
Run for Office
Once you have made a name for yourself in the local political community, you may want to run for office. A good place to start may be to look for jobs that have gone unfilled, that the current elected official is not planning to run for again or that a person ran unopposed for on the last ballot. You will need to organize a campaign, hire a campaign manager, travel around the community to meet voters and raise funds for your campaign. You may also be asked to support candidates for other offices in your area. Entry-level offices to consider running for include, city or state board member, mayor, chairperson, state senator or representative and justice of the peace.
Keep Up With Political Developments
Politics are always changing, so it is important to stay on top of what is happening at the local, state, national and international levels. If you hope to move up the ranks of elected officials, you need to be highly knowledgeable about what is happening in the world.
There are many different paths to take in a political career. Whether your goal is to run for an elected office or to work in an advisory role or become a political activist, the key is to build a strong foundation of relevant skills and to continue to build your skills and knowledge base throughout your career.
