How to get a job in N.C. politics

We spoke with political professionals to get some advice for people looking to break into the industry.

Note: Much of the reporting for this article was conducted in 2018 and 2019. The information has been updated where necessary.

Getting a job in North Carolina politics can be a challenge. It’s hard to break in, the landscape can be unstable, and the money isn’t always great. But it is possible, and the rewards can be enormous: Our state’s public servants do a phenomenal job making life better for the people of North Carolina.

So how do you start a career in N.C. politics?

Longleaf Politics spoke with many people currently working in North Carolina politics to get some advice for people looking to break in. We also reviewed the resumes and LinkedIn pages of people at the top of the industry to see how they did it.

Here are a few of the primary tips we divined.

1) Start at the bottom. North Carolina’s political world has a wealth of opportunities to get involved. If you’re still young, start as a college intern. As you get older, you can start as a campaign volunteer, by working in your party’s precinct organization, or by working on hyperlocal campaigns.

2) Network. Like most industries, North Carolina politics relies as much on who you know as what you know. Be involved, get to know people and doors will start to open to you.

In this guide, we will cover:

• Career paths in North Carolina politics

• How to move up the ladder in North Carolina politics

• Entry-level jobs in North Carolina politics

• Political job descriptions