Wondering how to get into politics without any school degree and become a politician? Being elected to political office is kind of like a very long, very difficult, and very public job interview. You need to communicate your value while winning over the people who make the final decision. The good news is that it doesn’t take a background in law, government, or political science – or a family tree with deep partisan roots – to be a good politician.
If you’re a politics freak, election season can probably make you feel the way football fans feel about the Super Bowl. And unless you are already in politics, you are also likely thinking about your career path. Wondering what it’s like to work behind the scenes of a campaign? Do you have a secret desire to influence the political process, or see ways in which you can make a difference in your community?
If you find yourself intrigued by politics and wondering if you can get into it with a career, there are a lot of options to consider. Here are some common paths – and what you need to know to break into.
Can I get into politics without any school degree?
Yes, in-fact, as a first-time employee seeking to understand the world of politics, local government is an excellent starting point. Most towns and urban neighborhoods offer open meetings of city councils and community councils, allowing residents to hear what local politicians are about in business and offer their own questions about issues affecting their area. Attending these meetings gives you a glimpse into the work of the local government and can help demystify the entire process. If you then decide that you want to pursue local politics more, you can register with a political party and attend regional gatherings and you can also volunteer to help local politicians with their election campaigns and specific initiatives.
To run for a position, be aware as much as possible of the issues your community considers most important and pressing, be present at community board meetings and town hall meetings, create budgeting and recruitment plans for your campaign, find out how to submit your file to the office in your city and state, and prepare for your candidacy announcement.
Depending on your specific political interests, different skills may be required for specific roles. However, some capabilities have universal value in this professional category. Some notable examples include the ability to speak effectively, raise funds, a keen sense of the audience you want and how to reach them, and (ideally) the ability to listen to voters and colleagues and take their notes into account when planning your next steps.
How to get into politics without any school degree
· Be eligible
Before you can pursue a political career, you will need to know whether or not you qualify. Politicians and political officers come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, but most of them are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Degrees in political science, law, business, finance, or other related fields can be beneficial for political officers. Four-year schools often offer extracurricular activities that may interest an aspiring politician, including student body government, speech and debate, or activity associations.
· Volunteer
To continue increasing your qualifications, you will need to gain relevant experience. You can achieve this in various ways, including entry-level jobs. However, volunteering is one of the most common ways to gain political experience. Many political campaigns operate primarily on the volunteer hours spent by unpaid shareholders. If you reach out to local politicians running for office who you believe in their ideology, you will likely be able to find job opportunities in their campaign. This will allow you to work in a political environment and see campaign activities firsthand.
Unpaid internships also allow you to gain work experience by observing and helping with political activities. If you are interested in political training, you will likely need to meet certain criteria which may include your grade point average, degree program, or previous work experience. Your duties as a campaign volunteer will likely include answering phones, stuffing and processing envelopes, contacting voters in the cold, distributing flyers, and helping to organize fundraising.
· Join a political party
Politics in the United States is divided into several major political parties. These parties adhere to different value systems and prioritize different beliefs. However, they all work toward a common goal: to protect and benefit their country. Before you can run for office or pursue a high-level political office, you will need to choose a party. To do this, you will need to thoroughly research what each party stands for and decide who will share your values and benefit from your input.
Even if you are not interested in becoming an elected official, choosing a party can help you achieve your career goals. Politicians usually hire individuals who share their party affiliations, and the professional network that comes with party selection is most helpful for junior employees.
· Fund political candidates
It is no secret in politics that money buys access. In an ideal world, that wouldn’t be the case, but it is, and donors often have the ear of their preferred candidate as a result. The more money they provide, the more they reach, and the more they reach, the more influence they have on politics. So what can you do? Contribute to a political candidate of your choice in the community. Even if you only give you $ 20, they may notice and acknowledge your help – that’s a good start. You can also start your own political action committee or Super PAC to support the candidates you choose without necessarily donating your money.
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· Follow political news
Before getting into politics, you must know what you are talking about and be able to have an intelligent and thoughtful conversation about the issues. Read your local newspaper. Then read your government newspapers. Then read the patriotic publications: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and more. Whatever you can access, read it; And with so many magazines and newspapers published online now, access has never been easier. Find good local bloggers to stay up-to-date on issues close to home and if there is a specific problem in your town, think of the solutions on your own and form your own opinions.
· Engage with local government
After you have the necessary education, experience, and skills, you can start looking for a job in politics. One of the easiest ways to do this is to participate in your local government. Find entry-level jobs working in the office of a mayor, governor, or capitol building in your state. You can also work on government committees or assist with seasonal events such as voter registration. Working with local government can earn you a reputation for being a politically active citizen and will help cement your name in local political circles.
· Run for office
After you establish yourself in your political community, you may decide to run for office. This usually means running a campaign, hiring a campaign manager, collecting campaign money from donors, and touring a city, state, or country to meet potential supporters. Running for office is a big time commitment and effort required, but it is one of the most effective ways to serve your country and secure government office.
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