A political campaign is an organized effort to elect candidates for public office or pass ballot initiatives such as constitutional amendments, legislative referenda, and local ordinances. A political campaign can take many forms and run for anywhere from a few months to several years, with the length of a campaign largely dependent on the type of office or ballot initiative being sought and how competitive the race is.
Campaign jobs vary in terms of scope and pay, but most entry-level positions are unpaid. As a result, working on a political campaign can be a great opportunity for students to build their resume and gain professional experience without the burden of debt.
While most career paths in politics or policy-adjacent fields involve some level of legal work, a year or two spent working on a campaign can provide an early and valuable introduction to the world of legal practice. Working on a campaign can also be an excellent way to build and sharpen the communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills that are critical for any lawyer.
Getting a job on a political campaign is usually a matter of networking, often through the college alumni network or student groups with partisan affiliations such as the law school Republican and Democratic clubs. If you have a good relationship with someone affiliated with a particular campaign, they may be able to help you secure an internship or full-time position. If you are able to get in, make sure to highlight your political or campaign experience on your resume and include it in a compelling cover letter.
About the Author
