DiversityInc - January/February 2009

they’re two different worlds. When you’re young, you can do that.”

Being versatile can only benefit you and add to the building blocks of your career in politics, Thurber says.

“Always remember that what you do for those internships will have an influence on what you can do in the future,” Thurber says. “If you screw up in an internship, it gets around. It’s a small world in politics.”

Know what entry level means

Let’s face it: You can’t jump from intern to senator. Therefore, after internships and volunteer efforts are complete, it’s your job to know which entry-level positions can get you further into the political arena.

“On the Hill, in Congress, the early positions are a legislative correspondent, where you answer e-mails and letters from the constituents,” Thurber says. “That moves to becoming legislative assistant to a legislative director and sometimes chief of staff to the possibility

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A political-science MAJOR IN COLLEGE TO GET involved

IN A CAREER IN POLITICS.”

DR. JAMES A. THURBER

of working for a committee, which is the most prestigious position on the Hill.”

There are also entry-level positions in campaign politics, such as being a field organizer or working at the campaign headquarters.

“One of the first jobs [in campaign politics] is to be a field organizer,” Thurber says. “Obama hired 3,800 of those to work the ground and get out the vote.”

Other entry-level positions in campaign politics include assistant speechwriters and people who do advance work in preparation for rallies. There are even opportunities to be a driver for a candidate.

“You can learn a lot about a candidate and the campaign [by driving],” Thurber says. “Campaigns are really fluid and easy to get into if you have the right skills and if you’re there at the right time.”