How to become a Politician

The world needs more young people in Politics. We tend to think of politicians as the important high up people who we see on TV and who run the country, but there are many levels of Politics that you can get involved with at any age or experience level.

As a politician you are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the public that you serve, be that at a local, town, state, or countrywide level. You have a direct ability to affect peoples’ lives and change the world we live in.

Politicians often choose or are allocated a particular area of government to work in, which can focus on an area like transport, health, the environment, or the economy. Depending on what level of politics you’re involved in, you might have a team of councillors or civil servants working for you, advising you on possible plans and actioning the ones that are agreed on.

A big part of a politician’s job is debating political issues with colleagues. As a politician, you are a member of a council or parliament: a group of other politicians from a range of political parties . You will often work with other members of your own party to push through an idea or ‘motion’ that you all agree on. In democracies, most important decisions are put to a vote, so working with people and persuading them to support your ideas can be a crucial part of your work. Similarly, meeting constituents, attending local community meetings, and hosting drop-ins are a big part of a politician’s life, being there for the people you serve.

How do I get into politics?

There are many routes into politics. Some people jump into it straight from school or university and work their way up from being personal assistants to MPs, to party activists with the hope of one day getting elected themselves. Other people join politics much later in life and begin by campaigning for causes they support alongside their day job.

If you’re just starting out as a recent school-leaver or graduate, then getting work experience is vital. Email your local representative to see if you can shadow them for a week, or ask for a placement at their local or government office. Get in touch with your local council to see if you can sit in on a few meetings. See what it takes to get things done in the political world.

Experience campaigning is also something employers and parties look for in a prospective politician. Campaigning shows your belief in a cause and also demonstrates your ability to be innovative and creative to get things done – it shows you can make a difference.

If you’re currently at university then student politics is an excellent way into future political work. Working at your student union is very similar to what you might experience as a councillor, representative, or MP and gives you the right sort of background skills like administration, organisation, budgeting, and people management that are invaluable in this career.

Remember there will be setbacks. People often forget that it is surprisingly hard to get elected, and most of the major parties expect you to stand in some unlikely seats to prove your worth before they’ll put you forward in a marginal or safe seat. It is perfectly normal for people to pursue other careers whilst in the early stages of political work, and there are many other jobs in politics, such as in NGOs, the civil service, and think tanks which can give valuable political experience, and still allow you to make a political difference, without being a politician in name. Just persevere. The next Prime Minister or President has to be out there somewhere.

Next Steps for Students Interested in Pursuing Politics 

• If you’re interested in making a difference locally, check out the UK Government’s advice on becoming a Councillor here.
• For more advice on books to read, check out the Top Ten Books Every Politics Student Should Read.
• To take your interest in Politics to the next level, check out our Oxford International Relations Summer School by the Oxford Scholastica Academy.