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Audrick
Student
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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How did those of you in politics get your foot in the door?
Once I am out of college I want to start my career in politics. So I wanted to know how did you get your start.
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1 answer
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1877
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Audrick before pursuing a political career, first consider if you have the necessary qualifications. Politicians and political employees come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, but they usually have at least a bachelor's degree as their minimum level of education. Degrees in political science, law, business, finance or other relevant fields can benefit political employees. Four-year schools often offer extracurricular activities that might interest an aspiring politician, including student body government and/or debate club.
GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL POLITICS
Most politicians get their start at the lowest level of community politics and involvement. This will also provide you with a useful experience that you can add to your political resume. Common ways to get involved in your local initiatives include volunteering for a local campaign or committee, sitting on local boards and joining a chapter of your chosen political party. Becoming an active member of your local political affairs can help you get noticed by politicians and establish your passion and willingness to put forth time and effort for the great good of society.
NETWORK WITH POLITICAL LEADERS
Forming relationships with political members in your area can help you learn the ins and outs of a political career and gain support for your own political aspirations. You can also use these relationships to gain insight as to how a successful politician acts and how they go about earning respect and confidence. You can build your local professional network with government employees and county officials in your area. This can help you learn about legislative assistant job opportunities.
Related: How To Apply for Government Jobs
APPLY FOR LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT JOBS
Once you've earned a degree and experience, you can use your professional network to apply to legislative aide jobs. You can find open legislative assistant positions on local, state and federal government websites. As a congressional staffer you’ll be able to improve how the government uses its enormous power, while also building knowledge of how Congress works and the network to go with it. While some senior positions in the executive branch might be more impactful, Congress is a good place to start out, especially if you don’t have a master’s in policy, security studies or international relations.
RUN FOR A POLITICAL OFFICE
After establishing yourself in your political community, you may decide to run for office. This process may involve organizing a campaign, hiring a campaign manager, raising donor funds and touring the city, state or country to meet prospective supporters. Running for office is a significant time commitment and takes considerable effort, but it is one of the most effective ways to serve your country and secure a government position. There are dozens of offices you can run for at every level of government, including city or state board member, governor, mayor, chairperson and senator.
CONCLUSION
There is no one career path which reliably leads to an elective office. Working as an aide for an established politician is one common way to meet contacts in the local political party apparatus. Law school is another common first step to a political career, since many lawyers achieve public notice and visibility or do work for state political parties.
Hope this was helpful Audrick
GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL POLITICS
Most politicians get their start at the lowest level of community politics and involvement. This will also provide you with a useful experience that you can add to your political resume. Common ways to get involved in your local initiatives include volunteering for a local campaign or committee, sitting on local boards and joining a chapter of your chosen political party. Becoming an active member of your local political affairs can help you get noticed by politicians and establish your passion and willingness to put forth time and effort for the great good of society.
NETWORK WITH POLITICAL LEADERS
Forming relationships with political members in your area can help you learn the ins and outs of a political career and gain support for your own political aspirations. You can also use these relationships to gain insight as to how a successful politician acts and how they go about earning respect and confidence. You can build your local professional network with government employees and county officials in your area. This can help you learn about legislative assistant job opportunities.
Related: How To Apply for Government Jobs
APPLY FOR LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT JOBS
Once you've earned a degree and experience, you can use your professional network to apply to legislative aide jobs. You can find open legislative assistant positions on local, state and federal government websites. As a congressional staffer you’ll be able to improve how the government uses its enormous power, while also building knowledge of how Congress works and the network to go with it. While some senior positions in the executive branch might be more impactful, Congress is a good place to start out, especially if you don’t have a master’s in policy, security studies or international relations.
RUN FOR A POLITICAL OFFICE
After establishing yourself in your political community, you may decide to run for office. This process may involve organizing a campaign, hiring a campaign manager, raising donor funds and touring the city, state or country to meet prospective supporters. Running for office is a significant time commitment and takes considerable effort, but it is one of the most effective ways to serve your country and secure a government position. There are dozens of offices you can run for at every level of government, including city or state board member, governor, mayor, chairperson and senator.
CONCLUSION
There is no one career path which reliably leads to an elective office. Working as an aide for an established politician is one common way to meet contacts in the local political party apparatus. Law school is another common first step to a political career, since many lawyers achieve public notice and visibility or do work for state political parties.
Hope this was helpful Audrick