A political campaign is a coordinated effort to promote and support the election of a candidate or the passage of legislation. It may also include an informational campaign designed to educate the public about a particular issue. The term is used most often to describe campaigns conducted by political parties or individual candidates, but may refer to any type of electoral effort. Even a “paper campaign,” in which the candidate files the necessary paperwork for inclusion on the ballot, is considered part of a campaign.
Political campaign work offers an invaluable, quick-start opportunity to gain professional experience and develop skills that are highly transferable across other policymaking and politics-adjacent careers. However, it can be very demanding and stressful, particularly for new staffers. This guide provides a broad overview of (1) the different types of campaigns and (2) their pros and cons to help you determine whether a role with a particular campaign is a good fit for your career goals, personal needs, and interests.
A key consideration is whether you want to affiliate with a particular political party. Partisan affiliation is a necessary prerequisite for most campaign positions, and switching political parties incurs reputational and career costs that accrue over time. You can start by identifying alumni working on campaigns or affiliated with partisan groups from your college or law school, as well as by looking at undergraduate partisan organizations. You can also try contacting a campaign directly and introducing yourself.
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