If you are thinking about getting into politics, than I have a couple of suggestions for starting points.

Obviously, the first thing you need to do if you haven't already (and most college students haven't) is get an internship or two with a politician who is working at a level you would like to work at. This is your chance to show them what you know, and see things from the inside...basically an extended job interview. These days, it's not terribly easy to get higher level internships, so the basic rule of thumb my advisor used was: if you want an internship, send out at least 100 applications. Otherwise, you'd be chancing it. I would suggest the state legislature or in-state congressional offices as great places to start. Plus, with it being campaign season, there will be a good deal of opportunities out there. Make sure to write good cover letters explaining your situation and why you would like to work with that person.

Second, try finding a job with an outside firm that deals in politics. Lobbying firms, polling firms, media outlets, advocacy groups, and my personal favorite, fundraisers. Probably the easiest job to secure right now is a fundraising job with, say, The FUND, Clean Water Action, CAMN, one of the PIRG's, Grassroots Campaigns, or many other smaller dirrect marketing agencies. This is a tough, and not extremely high paying route to take (if your thinking you need to drive a Lexus, have designer clothes, and hit the clubs every night, this probably not up your ally) but is one that will have you dealing with the issues, and a broad cross-section of the public doing campaign work. It's also where many elected officials get their start. In one year, you will be ready to run for office yourself...if you're smart enough.

Third. Write articles or opinion pieces. Send letters to the editor. Have a section of your resume that lists your writing accomplishments, and it will stand out with many prospective employers. This shows that you have strong writing skills and know enough about issues and process to be an asset.

Fourth. Find people who will be valuable to your advancement, and kiss butt like mad. It's not for me, but let's face it, 95% percent of really successful people get where they are because of connections and people skills.

Fifth. Forget about volunterring (other than an internship). The caliber of the average volunteer is usually ridiculous. Generally, they don't have a clue, and the paid volunteer coordinator sees them as someone who is dumb enough to work for free, when they could be making money. And, volunteer work is usually nothing more than making calls and stuffing envelopes.

Sixth, and finally... Go to law school. Cause, frankly, a PoliSci degree with no post-grad is not terribly impressive. Take it from me. I've done lots of hiring, and I'm the holder of a BA in History and Political Science.

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Any man who can render himself unconscious with a pretzel isn't smart enough to lead the free world.

I'm sorry. What I meant was that the employers will have to shell out money for a clearance. If someone applying for the job already has a clearance, it is much more tempting to hire them because they wouldn't need to pay anything for them.

Well, you could found a liberal internet forum called puke.net

In all seriousness, just get a job. Anything. Preferably something which is a new endeavor for you, such as in the business world. A few years of that should clarify what you want to do, whether, change fields, back to grad school, or what have you.

Thanks for everyone's time in replying, especially this reply. Good advice given by most, if not all.

Personally, I want to get into Political Television. I honestly see myself in the mold of a Bill Maher type: Witty as hell, funny because of it, but also smart as a whip. I'm not Jewish or old, but that's besides the point. I might get a teaching job to pay the bills while trying to do some political journalism work, maybe even write a book.

My life story has potential, as I'm a white guy who grew up in a predominately black area, went through schooling and college on the "other side of the fence" if you will (even ascending as far as being President of my Fraternity, also predominantly black, Kappa Alpha Psi), but the whole while never losing my appreciation for being what God made me...a white guy!!! I'm a magnificent writer, as I was almost an English major (if it wasn't for all that god awful reading!!!). So who knows.

I'm gonna start my career quest on Monday, so anymore good ideas are appreciated.

Born to Rich parents, AWOL, drugged and drunk during the war, given several companies to ruin, then a state and finally a country. No ditch digging there.

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"What does a former president's son know about the Iraq war anyway?"
-- GW Bush when asked about Ron Reagan's negative comments, 6/25/2004.
www.BushZombie.com

...go back to school. A BA in Poly Sci screams for a higher degree.

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"Democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the man who will get the blame."

-Laurence J. Peter

You could also go back to school and become a CPA. Then, you could never do any work, grow old, lonely, and bitter, and wait to die while arguing about topics you don't understand all day long on an internet message board.

I bet we could find a mentor for you.

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Any man who can render himself unconscious with a pretzel isn't smart enough to lead the free world.

You could start a political message board and spend all day and all night stopping all these people from killing each other and force them to have intelligent debates.


-Demosthenes

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"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

you should join my group the, The Subversive American Politically Correct, UN loving, defense stripping and country weakening league. also known as the Democratic party