Every two years, during a presidential election cycle and other local, state, and ballot initiative elections, thousands of nationwide campaigns are organized to elect candidates for public office or pass political initiatives. These operations range in size from tiny, locally based, and volunteer-powered to large, nationally focused, and professionally run affairs. Some are geared toward a single candidate, and others seek to advance a particular policy position or platform. The types of work and responsibilities on campaigns vary widely; however, the fundamental goal is the same: to reach, communicate with, and persuade voters to support one candidate or issue over another.
Aspiring or prospective policymakers and policy-influencers can gain valuable insight into how political support for particular policy ideas is built, managed, and/or lost through political campaign experience. They can also learn more about the priorities and concerns of elected officials and American voters. This information helps shape and focus their future endeavors.
Working on a political campaign isn’t for everyone, and whether it makes sense to pursue this type of work depends largely on the career ambitions and goals of individuals and their professional network. It is often hard to secure a position on a competitive campaign through a traditional job application process; staffing for campaigns tends to be driven by connections, and many entry-level positions offer meager compensation or no compensation at all.
Despite these constraints, it is still possible to find opportunities in political campaigns if you look in the right places. Some tips for finding a campaign that might be a good fit for you include reading online testimonies of people who have worked on political campaigns, contacting people with similar interests and backgrounds through social media, or attending local political events to meet and network with potential employers.