A political campaign is the organized effort to identify, persuade, and mobilize support for a candidate for public office or a ballot initiative. The goal is to win a majority-or sometimes just a plurality-of votes in an election. The most significant campaign activities are organizing supporters, fundraising, and getting out the vote. A campaign has a limited staff and relies on volunteers to canvass neighborhoods, conduct polling, and distribute materials. The campaign must also develop and refine a messaging strategy. The campaign’s message is usually a set of talking points that address the issues the candidate will focus on.
In the US, a candidate campaign is an opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience in a fast-paced environment and build connections that may lead to career advancement or politics-adjacent work later in life. The work is highly demanding and often emotionally charged. The work can be a stepping stone to government employment or to a career in other policymaking, advocacy, lobbying, or consulting.
Recruiting for a role on a campaign can be challenging, but the right approach can be successful. Many campaigns are seeking talented people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Campaigns are not as hierarchical as a traditional corporate setting, and many senior staff members look to hire people who have proven themselves on their own. A good way to find out about opportunities is to reach out to your law school’s Republican and Democratic alumni associations, or undergraduate partisan groups such as the American Constitution Society and Federalist Society.