How to Be a Political Intern
Get the position., Interview, if need be., Get close to those around you in the office., Work to establish yourself as an individual willing to take on all tasks., Be curious within reason, but remember that listening is much more useful than...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get the position.
Write to local politicians that you admire and see if they have any internships or volunteer positions available.
Even if you're only in high school, prepare a simple résumé with your extracurricular activities, any prior work or volunteer experiences, etc.
Keep it simple to avoid looking pompous or overzealous, unless you feel the situation calls for something more thorough and formal.
If you have a connection of any sort, this is a great time to make use of it! If your uncle was a major booster to this politician during his or her last campaign, have him send the official a call or email about how great of an addition you'd be.
It can really work wonders.
Ensure that you clearly lay out the amount of work you'd be able to put in.
If volunteers are sparse at the office, they'd likely appreciate any efforts you can put in, even if they're only after school, during days off, and during breaks.
If there is actually competitive selection of interns, though, then you don't wish to surprise your boss by announcing you'd only be able to work a quarter of the time that they expected. -
Step 2: Interview
Lower-level offices (say, for state representatives in the United States) will often be chomping at the bit for volunteers and interns and thus will schedule an interview to check that you're all there and that you're committed to the cause (if they schedule one at all).
Higher-level offices, though, may have more stringent and difficult interviews that you'd have to sit through before joining the team.
If you don't succeed at this step, don't worry.
Brush up on your interviewing skills, and contact another local government official.
If you do succeed, though, carry on with the following steps. , You may be dismayed to learn that in many larger political offices, you're not likely to see the person you're working for very much at all- as they'll typically be tending to various tasks.
If you can manage to meet them enough to establish a rapport with them, that's superb.
Otherwise, befriend the other individuals in your office, interns or otherwise.
Not only will this make your time more bearable, but it will also help you to make meaningful connections that will help you if you pursue a career in politics.
You'll need to ensure you gain trust early on.
This means no jokes about writing tell-all memoirs about your time at the office or quips about leaking a story to the press. , Never say no to a reasonable job given to you, whether it be filing, computer work, answering phones, or anything else. , Unless the individuals who you work with are particularly stern, don't be afraid to ask a clarifying question or two when sensitive political information is being discussed.
Remember, though, to be careful with the information you find out- to ensure trust is maintained it should never leave the office. , Interns will often have the opportunity to march in parades and participate in similar events on weekends and holidays.
Though you're likely to be holding a sign or banner with your boss's name on it, gatherings like these can serve as exciting opportunities to rub elbows with community leaders. , Though being haughty is not a quality of a good political intern, don't be afraid to tell people you meet (even important politicians) your name and who you intern for.
A well-made connection can turn out to be an endorsement in a campaign of yours ten or twenty years down the line. -
Step 3: if need be.
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Step 4: Get close to those around you in the office.
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Step 5: Work to establish yourself as an individual willing to take on all tasks.
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Step 6: Be curious within reason
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Step 7: but remember that listening is much more useful than talking as an intern.
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Step 8: Get to local events
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Step 9: if you can.
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Step 10: Make connections.
Detailed Guide
Write to local politicians that you admire and see if they have any internships or volunteer positions available.
Even if you're only in high school, prepare a simple résumé with your extracurricular activities, any prior work or volunteer experiences, etc.
Keep it simple to avoid looking pompous or overzealous, unless you feel the situation calls for something more thorough and formal.
If you have a connection of any sort, this is a great time to make use of it! If your uncle was a major booster to this politician during his or her last campaign, have him send the official a call or email about how great of an addition you'd be.
It can really work wonders.
Ensure that you clearly lay out the amount of work you'd be able to put in.
If volunteers are sparse at the office, they'd likely appreciate any efforts you can put in, even if they're only after school, during days off, and during breaks.
If there is actually competitive selection of interns, though, then you don't wish to surprise your boss by announcing you'd only be able to work a quarter of the time that they expected.
Lower-level offices (say, for state representatives in the United States) will often be chomping at the bit for volunteers and interns and thus will schedule an interview to check that you're all there and that you're committed to the cause (if they schedule one at all).
Higher-level offices, though, may have more stringent and difficult interviews that you'd have to sit through before joining the team.
If you don't succeed at this step, don't worry.
Brush up on your interviewing skills, and contact another local government official.
If you do succeed, though, carry on with the following steps. , You may be dismayed to learn that in many larger political offices, you're not likely to see the person you're working for very much at all- as they'll typically be tending to various tasks.
If you can manage to meet them enough to establish a rapport with them, that's superb.
Otherwise, befriend the other individuals in your office, interns or otherwise.
Not only will this make your time more bearable, but it will also help you to make meaningful connections that will help you if you pursue a career in politics.
You'll need to ensure you gain trust early on.
This means no jokes about writing tell-all memoirs about your time at the office or quips about leaking a story to the press. , Never say no to a reasonable job given to you, whether it be filing, computer work, answering phones, or anything else. , Unless the individuals who you work with are particularly stern, don't be afraid to ask a clarifying question or two when sensitive political information is being discussed.
Remember, though, to be careful with the information you find out- to ensure trust is maintained it should never leave the office. , Interns will often have the opportunity to march in parades and participate in similar events on weekends and holidays.
Though you're likely to be holding a sign or banner with your boss's name on it, gatherings like these can serve as exciting opportunities to rub elbows with community leaders. , Though being haughty is not a quality of a good political intern, don't be afraid to tell people you meet (even important politicians) your name and who you intern for.
A well-made connection can turn out to be an endorsement in a campaign of yours ten or twenty years down the line.
About the Author
Matthew Bell
Creates helpful guides on crafts to inspire and educate readers.
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