Employers
State legislators work for the state government, and many hold other jobs as well. Because of the part-time nature of some legislative offices, state legislators may hold part-time jobs or own their own businesses. Federal officials work full time for the Senate, the House, or the executive or judicial branches.
Starting Out
There is no direct career path for state and federal officials. Some enter their positions after some success with political activism on the grassroots level or by working their way up from local government positions to state legislature and into federal office. For example, President Barack Obama was a community organizer in Chicago before being elected to the Illinois state legislature and the U.S. Senate. Additionally, many politicians get their start assisting someone else's campaign or advocating for an issue. Those who serve as U.S. Congress members have worked in the military, journalism, academics, business, and many other fields.
- Ambassadors
- Aviation Safety Inspectors
- Bailiffs
- Bank Examiners
- Border Patrol Agents
- Campaign Workers
- City Managers
- Civil Engineers
- Congressional Aides
- Construction Inspectors
- Cryptographic Technicians
- Cultural Advisers
- Customs Brokers
- Customs Officials
- Demographers
- Deputy U.S. Marshals
- Economists
- Emergency Management Directors
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- EPA Special Agents
- Export-Import Specialists
- FBI Agents
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Foreign Service Officers
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Futurists
- Health and Regulatory Inspectors
- Intelligence Officers
- Internet Transaction Specialists
- Interpreters
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Lobbyists
- Management Analysts and Consultants
- Merchant Mariners
- Military Recruiters
- Military Workers, Enlisted
- National Park Service Employees
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Park Rangers
- Policy Analysts
- Political Columnists and Writers
- Political Consultants
- Political Reporters
- Political Scientists
- Political Speechwriters
- Press Secretaries
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Purchasing Agents
- Recycling Coordinators
- Regional and Local Officials
- Secret Service Special Agents
- Statisticians
- Traffic Engineers
- Translators
- Transportation Planners
- Urban and Regional Planners