I know there are a few wolfwebbers who have worked/volunteered for various political parties/organizations/groups/etc in Raleigh. I've been having a bit of trouble breaking into such positions and need advice.

It is increasingly clear to me that none of these places advertise positions in the usual media and unfortunately I don't have much in the way of connections.

I am, however, perfectly willing to pretend to adhere to any and all ideologies that don't call for the eradication or forced relocation of some group.

Nothing will come of this thread but I'm bored and getting kinda desperate.

8/20/2007 3:30:45 PM

you could be a poll watcher

8/20/2007 3:32:05 PM

I dont have too much experience in the political circle in Raleigh aside from a summer internship at the General Assembly, but if you are interested in observing/monitoring elections overseas for the U.S. Gov't send me a PM and I can hook you up with all of the info to get started. It is by no means a long term gig but the vast majority of the Americans that I have worked with have tons of political connections, particularly the retirees that observe the elections for fun.

8/20/2007 3:36:03 PM

talktolizzy has a job opening at the political firm she works for... but I think you kinda ruined that one

8/20/2007 3:41:46 PM

I was unaware that there was a political organization for manatees

Unless she's working for Greenpeace or something

[Edited on August 20, 2007 at 3:45 PM. Reason : wtf]

8/20/2007 3:45:08 PM

LOL...

I had to bring that one up, for old time's sake.

8/20/2007 3:58:58 PM

I think they hire people with experience. How do you get experience? Lots of volunteer work.

8/20/2007 4:03:11 PM

Or being incredibly lucky

8/20/2007 4:05:23 PM

http://www.democraticgain.org

PM me yo.

8/20/2007 4:31:20 PM

http://www.johnlocke.org/internships/

You can also sign up for their email list and start attending their Shaftesbury Society lunches. They have them most Mondays and it usually runs $8 - $15 depending on the speaker. I imagine that would be a great place to network, especially if your interests run libertarian.

8/20/2007 10:21:44 PM

I thought all the local political offices accepted volunteers to work phones/send letters/etc. Maybe you have to do some of that to get your foot in the door. Have you called the local GOP HQ to see if they need any helpers?

8/20/2007 10:34:40 PM

Just let them know your TWW name and the offers should come rolling in

8/20/2007 11:50:26 PM

"Volunteer - Join One Corps"
http://blog.johnedwards.com/chapter/27

http://www.democrats.org/page/group/YoungDemocratsofWakeCounty

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/volunteer

http://www.bradmiller.org/volunteer.php

http://davidprice.campaignoffice.com/index.asp?Type=DYNAFORM&SEC={40DCD09A-603F-4CA8-90BB-33C3EF052819}

Those are more volunteer and social networks if you are into fighting poverty, or support student financial aid, or senior support, or that last one has a Volunteering in the campaign office option possibility.

Melissa Price is the VP of the North Carolina Young Democrats
melissaaprice@gmail.com

I'm sure she wouldn't mind an e-mail to see if she has any contacts or knows any positions.


http://www.ncdp.org/internships

Quote :

"Internships The North Carolina Democratic Party has several internship opportunities available throughout the year. These positions have a range of involvement in party activities and provide an excellent opportunity to be directly involved in the political process. The NCDP is seeking interns for the Fall of 2007. If you want to learn about and work for the Democratic Party, this internship is for you! Interns are a vital part of the team at the NCDP, and interns work for all departments of the NCDP. The NCDP Internship Program accepts applications on a rolling basis as long as space is available. We will begin taking applications immediately. All NCDP internships should be considered unpaid, though a small stipend is available. We will work with local schools for students who would like to receive university credit. Please send cover letter and resume to headquarters@ncdp.org. "

"unfortunately I don't have much in the way of connections"

An internship or volunteering might be the way to build these.

8/21/2007 5:25:25 PM

OK, let me lay this out real clear to you guys:

I need to get paid for whatever I do in the near to intermediate future. As much as I understand volunteering is the way to go (and I have done some, if not enough, in the past), it isn't in the cards right now.

So I appreciate all of the advice saying that I need to work for free, but it ain't happening. Not that I have anything against volunteering, just that I can't afford to do it right this second.

I realize this makes the possibility of me getting a job in this field much lower, but you can't blame me for trying. If I can't get something in this without a healthy dose of slave labor beforehand, then I'm just gonna have to take some shit job at UPS or Target or what have you instead.

8/21/2007 5:58:20 PM

^Every job I have to offer would be paid.

8/21/2007 6:48:19 PM

http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/student_jobs/viewalljobs.asp

jobs.ncsu.edu

http://www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/hr/jobs/index.htm
"General Administration Jobs
University-wide Jobs
Statewide Jobs "

http://www.ncsu.edu/co-op_ed/

http://www.ncesc.com/

http://www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/

Maybe a gov job could help you make some contacts and get paid while you do it?

What is it that interests you about politics? Serving people, helping a specific group like students or seniors, civil service? If you like one main area covered by politics, perhaps you could find a job in that field and work your way over to politics over a couple of years while getting paid?

8/21/2007 7:07:43 PM

I've been checking local university political sci departments for anything. The only thing I've found so far is:

https://www.hr.duke.edu/secure/jobs/external.html

Quote :

"Position Title COMPUTER TECHNICIAN III Requisition Number 400115157 Auto req ID 9483BR Location Durham Duke Entity UNIVERSITY Department Name Political Science Shift First/Day Full Time / Part Time FULL TIME Job Description Install, configure, and maintain hardware and software for Macs and PCs, Install components for upgrades and repairs, Install and maintain printers, scanners, and other peripherals, Provide first level troubleshooting of hardware, software and network problems, Be familiar with member of Political Science Department, how they use computers, and what equipment and software they have. Minimum Qualifications Education Work requires reading, writing and analytical skills normally acquired through a high school education. Experience Work generally requires three years of experience as a Computer Technician or related position to acquire competency in the maintenance and repair of computer equipment. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Ability to lift up to 50 pounds required. "

I don’t know if you know a lot about comps… but with the or equivalent experience clause there you might be able to swing a nice looking resume.

I think I saw a school of social work job somewhere. If I knew more about possible interests outside of politics, if you have any, and your resume & what kind of work you've done in the past, I could narrow the searches to stuff you might be actually interested in.

[Edited on August 21, 2007 at 7:23 PM. Reason : .]

8/21/2007 7:18:18 PM

http://politics.jobamatic.com/a/jbb/find-jobs

Nothing in Raleigh right now, but they have had some stuff before and will again the more we get into campaign season.

[Edited on August 22, 2007 at 4:35 PM. Reason : ...]

8/22/2007 4:33:54 PM

I don't think being an IT person for people with political jobs counts as a political job.

8/22/2007 8:27:02 PM

Any kind of volunteer work or unpaid internship for any political party is going to be, with very few exceptions, a complete and total waste of your time. Don't make my mistake

Your best bet is to either --

1) turn in an application to the NCGA for an internship like I told you to They won't hire you right away, but once your name is in the queue eventually they'll get to you (especially if they call a special session to deal with Transportation issues). the GA is a great place for connections.

or

2) get a job as a file clerk or some entry-level spot with a law firm / consulting group / media company to pay the bills, get to know the attorneys / lobbyists / etc, and start going to political events. working for a firm gives you expertise and credibility, and politicians won't treat you like a worthless peon like they do with volunteers (or, at least, they'll treat you that way less than they treat the volunteers )

8/23/2007 1:46:07 AM

^ sound advice.

dont waste time volunteering for politicians, unless you've got some kind of major hard on for them personally, and REALLY want to stuff envelopes or make phone calls for their campaign.

8/23/2007 3:37:41 AM

I appreciate all the tips so far and am following up on them. nutsmackr, keep in touch. The rest of you, thanks again, keep them coming.

8/23/2007 8:26:17 PM

Forget the politics and brush up on your statistics

http://jobs.efinancialcareers.com/job-4000000000302057.htm

http://jobs.efinancialcareers.com/job-4000000000260153.htm

8/23/2007 11:34:41 PM

If you are up for an outside sales job with possibility of some lobbyist connections, PM me.

8/24/2007 10:29:43 AM

Hey greg, from the looks of it you have to be a student to do the GA internship

I am not a student

Am I missing something here?

8/27/2007 9:36:57 AM

might be able to score a job as AG

8/27/2007 12:27:00 PM

Just move to DC

8/27/2007 1:12:28 PM

Lowjack:

Quote :

"I don't think being an IT person for people with political jobs counts as a political job"

Niether do I. But it'd make more contacts in the field than working at target would. Plus working for a university can allow for some cheap or free classes which could build a resume, or make one eligible for more internships.

8/29/2007 5:37:37 PM

INTEGRITY

8/29/2007 8:55:26 PM