Career Opportunities in Politics, Government, and Activism
Career Opportunities in Politics, Government, and Activism
By Joan Axelrod-Contrada.
Published by Ferguson, an imprint of Facts On File, 2003.
This is an 8.5" by 11" hardback book running to 274 pages including the appendices and index, plus 14 pages of preferatory material.
The front matter includes a preface by John Kerry, a discussion of the "industry outlook," an acknowledgements section and an introduction called "How to use this book," which begins, "Welcome to a world of possibilities. Whether you dream of running for political office, planning cities, monitoring legislation, fighting for a cause, or joining the Peace Corps, this book should help you get started."
The book is organized into three major categories, and talks about job opportunities in each. The categories are Politics, Government, and Activism. The Politics section has subsections for Political Campaigns (including such careers as Pollster, Political Consultant, and Political Party Staffer) and Political Office (including things like School Board member, City Councilor, Mayor, Governor and President of the United States). The Government section has subsections on Local/State -- General Positions (including such things as Management Analyst and Public Information Officer); Local Government (including things like Recreation Supervisor, Urban and Regional Planner, Municipal Clerk and Election Official); Local/State Specialists (including Environmental Specialist, Victim Advocate, Auditor, Ethics Investigator, and Antidiscrimination Worker); State/Federal Legislative Staff (including things like Congressional Page, Legislative Assistant, and Research Analyst); Other State/Federal Positions (like Paralegal, Policy Analyst, and Speechwriter); and International Affairs (like Foreign Service Officer and Intelligence Operative). The Activism section has jobs that are not within government but nevertheless interact with government in some way. The sections are Nonprofit Advocacy and Administration (including such jobs as Program Director, Fundraiser and Director of Volunteers); Public Interest (including Canvasser, Environmental Activist, Consumer Activist, Government Reform Activist, and Public Interest Lawyer); Community, Social and International Issues (including Community Organizer, Women's Rights Activist, Peace Worker, and Conflict Resolution Specialist); Lobbies, Unions and Associations (including things like Lobbyist, Labor Union Organizer, and Association Membership Director); and Service Programs (including Peace Corps and Americorps Volunteer).
There are ten Appendices, and many of those have several parts. These cover pay scales, organizational charts of government agencies, graduate school programs, advocacy groups of different types, trade publications, a guide to running for political office, and other useful information.
Each job profile begins with a chart showing the main duties, alternate titles, salary ranges, employment prospects, and educational requirements. A "career ladder" diagram shows a typical career path from the entry level to the top. This is followed by a factual description of the position that talks about a typical day on the job, the types of projects handled, and a bulleted list of typical responsibilities. Relevant professional associations and unions are also listed. The job entries finish with a section of tips for gaining employment in that job.
This is an extremely practical and useful book for someone wanting to start a career in government or advocacy.
It is an interesting strength of the book that advocacy work is presented as part of the overal world of government and politics and not as something that belongs in a different reference work.
By Joan Axelrod-Contrada.
Published by Ferguson, an imprint of Facts On File, 2003.
This is an 8.5" by 11" hardback book running to 274 pages including the appendices and index, plus 14 pages of preferatory material.
The front matter includes a preface by John Kerry, a discussion of the "industry outlook," an acknowledgements section and an introduction called "How to use this book," which begins, "Welcome to a world of possibilities. Whether you dream of running for political office, planning cities, monitoring legislation, fighting for a cause, or joining the Peace Corps, this book should help you get started."
The book is organized into three major categories, and talks about job opportunities in each. The categories are Politics, Government, and Activism. The Politics section has subsections for Political Campaigns (including such careers as Pollster, Political Consultant, and Political Party Staffer) and Political Office (including things like School Board member, City Councilor, Mayor, Governor and President of the United States). The Government section has subsections on Local/State -- General Positions (including such things as Management Analyst and Public Information Officer); Local Government (including things like Recreation Supervisor, Urban and Regional Planner, Municipal Clerk and Election Official); Local/State Specialists (including Environmental Specialist, Victim Advocate, Auditor, Ethics Investigator, and Antidiscrimination Worker); State/Federal Legislative Staff (including things like Congressional Page, Legislative Assistant, and Research Analyst); Other State/Federal Positions (like Paralegal, Policy Analyst, and Speechwriter); and International Affairs (like Foreign Service Officer and Intelligence Operative). The Activism section has jobs that are not within government but nevertheless interact with government in some way. The sections are Nonprofit Advocacy and Administration (including such jobs as Program Director, Fundraiser and Director of Volunteers); Public Interest (including Canvasser, Environmental Activist, Consumer Activist, Government Reform Activist, and Public Interest Lawyer); Community, Social and International Issues (including Community Organizer, Women's Rights Activist, Peace Worker, and Conflict Resolution Specialist); Lobbies, Unions and Associations (including things like Lobbyist, Labor Union Organizer, and Association Membership Director); and Service Programs (including Peace Corps and Americorps Volunteer).
There are ten Appendices, and many of those have several parts. These cover pay scales, organizational charts of government agencies, graduate school programs, advocacy groups of different types, trade publications, a guide to running for political office, and other useful information.
Each job profile begins with a chart showing the main duties, alternate titles, salary ranges, employment prospects, and educational requirements. A "career ladder" diagram shows a typical career path from the entry level to the top. This is followed by a factual description of the position that talks about a typical day on the job, the types of projects handled, and a bulleted list of typical responsibilities. Relevant professional associations and unions are also listed. The job entries finish with a section of tips for gaining employment in that job.
This is an extremely practical and useful book for someone wanting to start a career in government or advocacy.
It is an interesting strength of the book that advocacy work is presented as part of the overal world of government and politics and not as something that belongs in a different reference work.