3 answers
Tyler
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
2
Questions
Asked
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What classes should I take if I want to become a politician?
I am currently a sophomore who is really interested in getting into politics. I want to know what classes will best prepare me for the world of politics, especially in the hyper-polarized environment we find ourselves in, where neither side can even agree on the facts.
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3 answers
Caitlyn P
13
Answers
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
Hello,
I would recommend political science and history related classes.
I would recommend political science and history related classes.
Christian Becerra
Operations professional
40
Answers
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Updated
Christian’s Answer
I’ve had the opportunity to work for three politicians throughout my career, and something I found interesting was how different their backgrounds and paths into politics were.
At one point, I actually Googled their educational backgrounds to see what they had studied. It made me realize that there isn’t necessarily one academic path you have to follow to become a politician.
I majored in communications myself, and I can tell you that learning how to communicate effectively has been incredibly valuable throughout my career.
If you’re a sophomore in high school, I’d encourage you to explore classes in government, history, economics, statistics, public speaking, and English. I’d especially emphasize history because understanding how we arrived at our current political circumstances is just as important as understanding what’s happening today.
Given your concerns about political polarization, I’d also recommend journalism or media literacy classes if your school offers them. Learning how to evaluate sources, distinguish facts from opinions, and recognize misleading information will serve you well regardless of your political beliefs.
But here’s something else I’d encourage you to do: research the educational backgrounds of politicians you admire or find interesting. Look at what they studied, where they started their careers, and what experiences helped prepare them for public office. You might be surprised by how different their paths were!
Finally, don’t underestimate extracurricular activities. Student government, debate, volunteering, and internships can teach you things that are difficult to learn in a classroom.
If there’s one thing I’ve taken away from working in politics, it’s that understanding people is just as important as understanding policy. Learn how to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and communicate with people who see the world differently from you. Those skills will serve you in almost any career, but especially in politics.
At one point, I actually Googled their educational backgrounds to see what they had studied. It made me realize that there isn’t necessarily one academic path you have to follow to become a politician.
I majored in communications myself, and I can tell you that learning how to communicate effectively has been incredibly valuable throughout my career.
If you’re a sophomore in high school, I’d encourage you to explore classes in government, history, economics, statistics, public speaking, and English. I’d especially emphasize history because understanding how we arrived at our current political circumstances is just as important as understanding what’s happening today.
Given your concerns about political polarization, I’d also recommend journalism or media literacy classes if your school offers them. Learning how to evaluate sources, distinguish facts from opinions, and recognize misleading information will serve you well regardless of your political beliefs.
But here’s something else I’d encourage you to do: research the educational backgrounds of politicians you admire or find interesting. Look at what they studied, where they started their careers, and what experiences helped prepare them for public office. You might be surprised by how different their paths were!
Finally, don’t underestimate extracurricular activities. Student government, debate, volunteering, and internships can teach you things that are difficult to learn in a classroom.
If there’s one thing I’ve taken away from working in politics, it’s that understanding people is just as important as understanding policy. Learn how to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and communicate with people who see the world differently from you. Those skills will serve you in almost any career, but especially in politics.
Gina Toy
Engineer
1
Answer
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Gina’s Answer
I want to share that even though this isn't my main field, I recently completed a MasterClass by Noam Chomsky. It really helped me understand the political divide in our country better. I highly recommend exploring his work—it's truly eye-opening!