Political Jobs

If you don’t like the way your government is run in Nashville and Tennessee there are things you can do about it besides protesting. Becoming directly involved in the political process is another answer. And the good news is there are positions available that will pay you or that may eventually lead to a full time position, particularly if your side is victorious.

 Two of the major occupational groups in the political process involve either volunteering or consulting.

Volunteers are needed at the local, state and federal levels for virtually every election. These individuals typically make up the greatest part of campaign staff.

By working on the behalf of a candidate that holds the ideals you believe in, you can indirectly influence government policies while at the same time influencing your future employment chances.

Volunteers provide a political campaign with the needed hands necessary to get the vote out for a candidate. They help raise contributions, answer the phone, stuff envelopes, make copies and perform all other types of necessary duties. The American political system can’t do without them.

Experienced volunteers often become paid staffers in future elections serving to help run the volunteer programs. And they, along with the non-paid campaign workers, are often rewarded for their support by a full time job after a victorious election.

Campaign managers, needed for different functions in a campaign, can earn a good income – depending on the level of the election. Incomes vary widely with National elections usually paying more than state or local races.

If your candidate wins, don’t automatically expect a paid position however. Most elected officials have limited staffing needs, and in most instances, new hires need to be qualified. Prior political connections help.

A secondary benefit of working as a volunteer is networking. Meeting and working with individuals from all walks of life can lead to opportunities many never thought possible. Networking is one of the best possible ways to find employment.

And if you want to make politics a career, there are other occupations available. Political consultants are part of this group.

Their main goals are about advising and promoting political candidates. They may be involved with developing political strategies or how best to work with the media.

Part of the job may be to conduct polls and surveys to determine public opinions. Another may be developing and utilizing Web pages to educate and influence voters.

Political consultants are normally employed by specialized firms or work independently on a contract basis. Certain specialties, such as media related professionals, may be employed by government agencies. They may take on the title of press secretary or similar names.

There is no set educational track to become a political consultant. Most all have a college degree or higher. Majors and courses beneficial include communications, journalism, political science, government, media relations, marketing and history.

The best way to get into a career path in political consulting is to become involved with political campaigns and to build a solid reputation. Volunteering is a good start.

Earnings for the profession can vary considerably. The U.S. Department of Labor suggests a consultant can expect to earn about $50,000 on average. However, the higher paid professionals, particularly on the national level, can earn well over $100,000 a year.

So, if you want to influence the political process, consider becoming part of it. And if these positions don’t give you the desired impact, you can always run for political office yourself.