Politician

Education required for this profession

Candidates for office usually must be a certain age. They must live in the area they want to represent and be U.S. citizens. Some have business, teaching, or legal experience, but many others have done other kinds of work. Many also have been volunteers with all kinds of social, political, religious, and other groups. Being a good speaker and manager is important. Candidates must inspire and motivate voters and their staff. They should be sincere and honest. They also must know how to compromise. In addition, they must have a lot of energy and be good fundraisers. It is hard for politicians to "advance" in the usual sense. The voter is their boss. If politicians are good at their jobs, they may get elected to the next level of political office. For example, a council member may run for mayor or for a job in the State government. A State legislator may run for governor or for Congress. Not all elected people want to advance and many do not try to. Others do not get reelected or just leave the occupation. Most politicians serve for only short periods of time.

Relevant Degree/Diploma/Certificate

Masters in political science and public administration

Quick Facts

The amount of competition in elections varies from place to place. Often, a lot of people try to get elected to the same job in large towns, cities, and States. In small areas, there is much less competition for these kinds of jobs. An increase in the number of jobs for chief executives and legislators is most likely to occur in local governments. Some cities and towns may take on professional managers or move from volunteer to paid career executives.

Salary

The middle half of all legislators earn between $13,530 and $38,690 a year . The lowest-paid 10 percent earn less than $12,190. The highest-paid 10 percent earn more than $75,270.

Featured Universities Offering Degrees for this Profession

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences	Abilene Christian University	American InterContinental University Online	American Sentinel University	Antonelli College

Online Universities Offering Degrees for this Profession

A A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Abilene Christian University American InterContinental University Online American Sentinel University Antonelli College Argosy University Online Ashford University B Baker College Online Bay Path College Bellevue University Benedictine University Boise State University Boston University Bowling Green State University Bryant & Stratton College Bush School of Government - Texas A&M University C California Coast University California InterContinental University California State University, Monterey Bay Capella University Chamberlain College of Nursing Chancellor University Clarion University of Pennsylvania Cleveland Institute of Electronics Colorado Technical University Online Columbia Southern University Concord Law School Concordia University Irvine Creighton University Cumberland University D Daniel Webster College DePaul University DeSales University DeVry University Dominican University Drexel University Online Duquesne University E Eastern Kentucky University eCornell Ellis University Everest College Phoenix Everest University Online Everglades University F Fielding Graduate University Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences Florida Tech University Online Fort Hays State University Full Sail University G Golden Gate University Gonzaga University Graceland University Grand Canyon University Gratz College H Harrison College Henley-Putnam University Herzing University Hodges University

I IIA College Independence University Indiana State University Indiana Tech International Academy of Design and Technology Iowa Central College Online Ivy Bridge College J Jacksonville University Jones International University K Kaplan University Keiser University Keller Graduate School of Management Kent State University L LA College Online Lehigh University Lesley University LeTourneau University Lewis University Liberty University Online Lincoln College Online Loyola University New Orleans M Malone University Marylhurst University McKinley College Minnesota School of Business Missouri University of Science and Technology Mountain State University N National American University New England College New England Culinary Institute New Jersey Institute of Technology / NJIT New York Medical College - School of Public Health Nova Southeastern University O Ohio University Oklahoma Wesleyan University P Post University Online S Strayer University Syracuse University T The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division U UMassOnline University Alliance University of Phoenix W Walden University