While there is no higher-education requirement to become a politician, most successful politicians hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Common areas of study for future politicians include political science, economics, business, international relations or another related field. Some politicians choose to complete law or business school in addition to obtaining a bachelor's degree. Having a bachelor's degree or higher is especially helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a politician on the state or federal level.
Most politicians get their start at the lowest level of community politics and involvement. This will also provide you with a useful experience that you can add to your political resume. Common ways to get involved in your local initiatives include volunteering for a local campaign or committee, sitting on local boards and joining a chapter of your chosen political party. Becoming an active member of your local political affairs can help you get noticed by politicians and establish your passion and willingness to put forth time and effort for the great good of society.
Forming relationships with political members in your area can help you learn the ins and outs of a political career and gain support for your own political aspirations. You can also use these relationships to gain insight as to how a successful politician acts and how they go about earning respect and confidence from the community.
Many politicians begin their careers at the local level and work their way up to state and federal levels. You should focus on building support as a local politician before attempting to run for higher-level political positions. Choose a local political position that interests you and begin campaigning for it. For example, you could run for a position as a town council member or become part of a school board.
Once you have done your due diligence on a local level, you can begin preparing to campaign for higher-level political positions. This process can take several months or even years and requires a dedicated campaign team, a clear political platform and an effective marketing strategy. You will also need funding for your campaign which will require gaining the support of your community and beyond.
After putting in the time and effort required to plan an honest and effective campaign, you will need to successfully run that campaign to become elected as a politician. Running a campaign can include making speeches, getting your platform seen by as many voters as possible and other initiatives to make your intentions as a politician known. If your campaign is successful, you will be elected into office as a politician.
