Expert: Tracey Drake - 8/3/2006

Question
Hello,
I've been planning the career of my choice fro now because I know life is going to be very difficult.  I'm only 17 years old now but I REALLY want a job that has to do with managing Laws...like one of the persons that works to generate a LAW.WHAT WOULD THOSE PEOPLE BE? senators, legislators? who else?please let me know so i can get a picture of what i want to be of those many occupations there is.

Answer
Good morning - There are many different ways you can work to affect changes in the country and have a career in creating and advocating for laws. Some of the positions include government executives, legislators, public interest advocates, public interest lawyers, community organizers/advocates and of course politicians.

Government Executives and Legislators

Public officials tackle tough problems from homelessness to terrorism. They respond to various groups who each argue that their issue, whether it's lower taxes or a better recycling program, demands top priority.

Given all that public officials face, it's hard to imagine the perfect way to prepare for the job. Maybe that's why there isn't one. While most have been to law school, their backgrounds vary and depend in part on their interests. As one elected official said, "You can't run for office just because you want to be an elected official. You need to decide what your interests are and follow them. If they lead you to elected office, great."

Government executives and legislators work at the federal, state, and local levels to direct government activities and pass laws. These officials include the president and vice president of the United States, members of Congress, governors, and city council members.

“You need to have absolute passion for what you're doing. You are working all the time, and you need to have the emotional energy behind that work to be successful.”


Are You Ready To...?

   * Hear testimony
   * Make deals
   * Attend meetings
   * Develop, enact, or change laws
   * Nominate citizens to serve on committees
   * Make speeches
   * Study reports
   * Oversee budgets and programs

It Helps to Be...

A strong communicator. You'll be giving lots of public speeches. You'll be networking -- meeting and staying in touch with many people. And you'll be listening to the people you serve so you can make sure the policies and laws you develop are in their best interests.

Make High School Count

   * Read about government executives and legislators from George Washington to the leaders of today.
   * Make the most of history and social studies to learn about the problems people have faced throughout time and the way those problems have been addressed.
   * Use English classes to sharpen your writing and speaking skills.
   * Run for student government and learn from your first campaign.
   * Join the debate team.
   * Plan a field trip to city hall or the offices of one of your representatives.
   * Volunteer on a local political campaign.
   * Read the news to learn about issues affecting the lives of ordinary citizens as well as the ins and outs of politics.

Did You Know?

   * Some government executives and legislators work 60 or more hours a week. Others work only a few hours a week but hold other jobs to pay the bills.

Outlook

Government economists expect job growth for legislators to be slower than the average and growth for chief executives to be as fast as the average for all careers  through 2014.

How hard is it to win an election and become a leader in government? That depends on the level of government and the size and wealth of the city, county, or state.
Compensation

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, legislators earned an average salary of $31,700 in 2004. In 2002, U.S. senators and representatives earned $154,700.

While the president of the United States earns $400,000 a year, some members of town councils receive no pay. As for mayors, city chief elected officials earned an average salary of $24,189 in 2002, according to the International City/County Management Association. The salaries of governors, according to the Council of State Governments in their 2002 report The Book of the States, ranged from $65,000 in Nebraska to $179,000 in New York.