It’s election season and many of us have given our minds and hearts to either a candidate or the process itself. We’re tuning into political debates, sharing videos of political speeches on YouTube (Every friend I have sent me a link to Barack’s Iowa victory speech!) and getting out in droves to vote (Good for you, good citizens).
There’s a lot at stake for the candidates and for us as Americans. These people–Hilary, Barack, Mitt, et al–are poised to either mire us further in war and economic decline or help us reclaim our former glory as a country of diplomacy, big ideas and prosperity. The presidential candidates may change our world, but the political process–exploration committees, polls, caucuses, primaries, nominations, campaign funding, speeches–can also change our careers.
Slimy. Manipulative. Unseemly. Hypocritical. Crooked. All words used to describe politics and the political process. Here are a few more: Billion-dollar industry.
The business of politics is big business. Players in this gilded sandbox include lobbying firms, campaign consultants, government officials and employees, attorneys, nonprofit organizations, marketing firms and, of course, the political candidates themselves. Even if you are not ready to hit the campaign trail, you might still have a future in politics.
CAREER & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN POLITICS
- Advertising (creatives, account executives, production)
- Attorneys
- Bloggers
- Branding consultants
- Campaign managers
- Campaign organizers
- Campaign workers
- Cartoonists/Caricaturists
- Caterers
- Crisis Management Consultants
- Drivers (Tour buses, limos)
- Election commissioners/other workers
- Event planners
- Executive assistants
- Financial advisors (not to be confused with personal financial planners/advisors)
- Fundraisers
- Government (federal and state)
- Image consultants
- Lobbyists
- Marketing consultants
- Market researchers (polling, demographics)
- Office managers
- Online community managers
- Pilots
- Political consultants
- Politicians (Elected and appointed, local and national)
- Poll workers
- Public relations consultants
- Public policy consultants
- Reporters
- Retailers (sell political merchandise)
- Strategists (campaign and marketing strategists)
- Volunteer coordinators
- Web designers
- Writers (speeches, reports, other political messages, copywriting, editing)
Note that the career opportunities listed above are not exclusive to politics. They will continue to be available and lucrative beyond the presidential election. There will always be a new politician. There will always be a new election. There will always be a new bill or other new legislation. There will always be some business, social or political interests to protect.
So, how do you get started in the business of politics?
If you’re looking to strike out on your own as a freelancer or start your own venture, nearly all of the above opportunities are available to you. But, if you want the security of working for someone else, consulting firms and large companies in almost every industry, but especially those in regulated industries (utilities, financial services, energy firms, insurance and others), employ staffers and executives to mind the political process to ensure that pending legislation or the platform or voting record of newly elected/appointed politicians don’t adversely impact their businesses. Nonprofit organizations, especially those dependent upon government funding, are also potential employers or clients (if you’re a consultant).
The career opportunities and employers listed here are by no means exhaustive. For every opportunity listed there is an unlisted niche and sub-niche to be explored. Begin exploring political business and career opportunities using the provided links. If you have further questions, email Careersthatdontsuck’s career experts.
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