Eleanor Finch
Working on a political campaign can be challenging and demanding, but it is also rewarding and can offer a unique perspective on the democratic process. Campaign work is not for everyone, but for those with a passion for politics, it can be an excellent way to build experience, skills, and networks, and accelerate a career in politics or politics-adjacent fields. There are three main types of campaigns: local, state, and national, and each type has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. Breaking into the field can be done through internships, entry-level jobs, or volunteering, and smaller campaigns are often a good place to start.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Campaign type | Local, state, national |
| Campaign size | Smaller campaigns are good places to find starting positions |
| Experience | Not necessary, but can be built up through volunteering |
| Qualifications | A college degree may be required for some roles |
| Networking | Important for career advancement |
| Job roles | Press and public relations, polling, opposition research, fundraising, logistical organizing |
| Job roles (continued) | Management, strategists, managers, consultants |
| Job roles (continued) | Pollsters, researchers, press aides, campaign spokespeople |
| Job roles (continued) | Ward captains, canvassers, phone bankers |
| Job roles (continued) | Bloggers, web presence managers |
| Salary | Entry-level campaign positions are not usually well-paid |
| Hours | Intense, 24/7 in the weeks preceding elections |
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What You'll Learn
Volunteering
Volunteers are essential to political campaigns, and they tend to show up as the campaign gains popularity. However, this can result in an uneven distribution of resources, leaving the campaign understaffed at critical times. Therefore, it is crucial to have an active plan for volunteer recruitment, training, engagement, rewards, and team management. A prominent 'sign-up' section on the campaign website can help attract volunteers.
As a volunteer, you can gain experience in various roles, such as canvassing, phone banking, organizing events, and fundraising. Canvassing involves knocking on doors to garner support and turn out votes, while phone banking involves making calls to persuade voters or ask for donations. Volunteers can also assist with administrative tasks, such as creating content for social media or managing the campaign's online presence.
Additionally, volunteering can offer a learning experience, enhancing interpersonal skills, confidence, and public speaking abilities. It can also provide a better understanding of how political campaigns are run, organized, and managed, giving valuable insights into the inner workings of the political process.
For those seeking a career in political campaigns, volunteering is an excellent first step to demonstrate motivation, gain experience, and make meaningful contributions to the democratic process. It is a way to stand up for the causes you believe in and influence the outcome of elections.
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Networking
Volunteer Work and Internships:
Volunteering is a great way to get your foot in the door and build your network. Look for volunteer opportunities with political campaigns, local political organizations, or interest groups. You can also apply for internships with campaigns or government organizations to gain experience and meet people in political roles.
Entry-Level Positions:
Entry-level jobs in political campaigns, such as volunteer organizers, social media content creators, or office workers, can help you gain experience and build connections. These positions are more common in larger campaigns at the state or national level.
Connect with Professionals:
Reach out to individuals you want to work with and express your interest. Utilize your existing network, including friends, family, and personal connections, to find out about opportunities and make introductions. Attend events, fundraisers, political endorsement meetings, or rallies to meet staffers and other professionals.
Join Organizations and Committees:
Consider joining local City, Town, or Ward Party Committees, as well as non-partisan organizations like the New Politics Leadership Academy, which offers networking events and leadership development programs focused on political campaigning.
Online Presence:
Maintain a strong online presence by blogging or using social media to connect with candidates, campaigns, and other professionals. This can also include joining online communities or forums where political discussions take place.
Training Programs and Courses:
Enroll in campaign training programs, lectures, workshops, or courses that teach specific skills for working on political campaigns. These programs often provide networking opportunities with like-minded individuals and industry professionals.
Remember, networking is about building relationships and adding value. Be proactive, stay connected, and don't be afraid to reach out and express your interest in working on political campaigns.
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Campaign types
Local Campaigns:
Local campaigns focus on issues that affect smaller geographical areas such as cities, counties, or districts. They can include school board elections, district changes, or mayoral elections. Local campaigns tend to have fewer applicants and are less complicated, making them ideal for gaining initial campaign experience. Volunteers in local campaigns often find themselves in positions of substantial responsibility and can quickly rise in the ranks.
State Campaigns:
State campaigns relate to issues specific to a single state. Examples include campaigns for state law reform, governor elections, and state-specific policies. State campaigns are a step up in scale from local campaigns and may require more specialized skills and qualifications.
National Campaigns:
National campaigns are the largest in scale, covering entire countries. They include senatorial, congressional, and presidential campaigns. These campaigns require more managers and strategists and are often more competitive and demanding. National campaigns are ideal for those seeking to work at the highest levels of politics and influence national-level policies.
Issue-Based Campaigns:
These campaigns focus on specific issues or policy areas rather than elections. They may advocate for public policies, constitutional amendments, legislative referendums, or local ordinances. Issue-based campaigns can operate at the local, state, or national level and often attract individuals passionate about specific causes.
Transition Campaigns:
Transition campaigns operate in parallel with a successful candidate's campaign to prepare for a smooth transfer of power. They are required for presidential candidates of major parties and are common for gubernatorial and mayoral candidates. Transition campaigns are highly beneficial for aspiring policymakers as they shape the incoming administration's policy trajectory.
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Qualifications
Grassroots roles, such as calling likely voters, canvassing, or knocking on doors, accept a wide range of applicants. These roles are excellent first steps for positions with more responsibility later in your career. They can also help you build your professional network, which is crucial when obtaining a job in the political field.
Senior positions, such as accountants or campaign management, usually require a bachelor's degree, professional certification, or previous campaign experience. Campaign hiring managers prefer applicants with experience in politics, a creative solutions mindset, the ability to produce results with limited funding, and outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills.
While a postgraduate degree is not necessary to pursue a career in politics, a four-year degree at a university can increase your skills and qualify you for higher-level positions. Relevant majors include political science, communication, journalism, and public policy. During your degree, you can also apply for internships to gain valuable government experience and expand your network.
If you are unable to obtain a degree, you can still pursue an entry-level job at a political campaign to increase your experience and build your professional network.
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Career goals
Political campaigns can be an exciting and rewarding career choice for those passionate about politics and the democratic process. Campaigns offer a unique insight into the electoral process and the concerns of elected officials and the public. They provide an opportunity to develop a wide range of skills in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Working on a campaign can be demanding, with little formal mentoring, structured feedback, administrative support, or free time. However, it can be an excellent way to build experience, skills, and networks, which can lead to career advancement in politics or related fields.
Short-term goals:
- Gain experience: Start by volunteering for a campaign, especially smaller, local campaigns, where you can gain varied experiences and take on substantial responsibilities. This can lead to more significant opportunities and build your resume.
- Build a network: Networking is crucial in the political world. Connect with people in political roles, campaign professionals, and candidates. Reach out to individuals you want to work with and express your interest.
- Develop skills: Identify the specific skills required for your desired role within a campaign. This could include technical and tactical skills in areas like press and public relations, polling, research, fundraising, or logistical organizing. Consider pursuing a college degree or internships to enhance your skills and qualifications.
Long-term goals:
- Advance your career: Use your network and experience to pursue higher-level positions within political campaigns, such as campaign manager or strategist. Aim to work on larger, national campaigns, which often require more specialized roles and offer more opportunities.
- Specialize: Develop expertise in a specific area, such as press and public relations, polling, opposition research, or fundraising. This can make you a valuable asset to any campaign and open doors to more senior roles.
- Pursue policymaking: Consider working on a political transition team, which operates alongside a campaign and prepares for the transfer of power if their candidate wins. This experience can be instrumental in shaping policy trajectories and is ideal for aspiring policymakers.
Remember, campaign work is not just about winning elections; it's about contributing to the democratic process, influencing public policy, and making a meaningful impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Working on a political campaign can be challenging and demanding but also rewarding both personally and professionally. Campaigns offer the opportunity to develop and refine a wide range of skills in a fast-paced and flexible environment. They also give a unique insight into the democratic process, the workings of elected officials, and the cares and concerns of the American public.
There are three main types of campaigns: Local, State, and National. Local campaigns focus on issues affecting smaller areas like cities, counties, or districts. State campaigns relate to single-state issues, and national campaigns are countrywide efforts.
Campaign work is accessible to most people. Many people start as volunteers, and some campaigns even provide support for living costs. Volunteering can lead to paid positions, and it is also beneficial to network and reach out to individuals you want to work with. Smaller campaigns are good starting points as they have fewer applicants and are less complicated.
Campaigns require a range of specialists, including press and public relations, polling, opposition research, fundraising, and logistical organizing. In smaller campaigns, one or two professionals will be jacks of all trades, while in larger campaigns, specialists work together to develop strategies.
Campaign work can lead to careers in politics or politics-adjacent fields like policymaking, lobbying, or consulting. Those with a reputation for winning campaigns will have lucrative careers, while those who work on losing campaigns may struggle to find work.
