[Career review] “Congressional staffer” by Alex Mann, Richard Batty

Want to get a job in Congress? Here's what it takes to get one — and why it matters.

Narrated by AI.

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Outline:

(01:38) Summary

(02:03) Pros

(02:21) Cons

(02:41) Key facts on fit

(03:00) Next steps

(03:17) Recommended

(03:27) Review status

(03:32) What this profile is based on

(04:13) What is this career path?

(05:57) How high-impact is it to work as a congressional staffer?

(06:25) The government can have a big impact on pressing problems

(10:05) Staffers' work shapes the actions of congress

(11:05) Legislative staff do work that lets them shape legislation

(13:58) Staffers' expertise increases their influence

(16:41) Staffers' relationships with legislators give them a lot of influence

(18:47) Congress can have a big impact on how government tackles pressing problems

(21:42) It's possible to improve government action

(22:40) Overall, how big an impact can staffers have?

(24:25) Other advantages of working as a congressional staffer

(24:30) You'll build good career capital

(25:12) Knowledge and connections in government and policy

(25:42) You'll build transferable skills

(26:13) You'll get excellent career options

(27:49) Downsides of congressional staffing

(27:54) Your success depends a lot on political conditions

(28:31) Lower salaries than the private sector

(29:39) The need to compromise and work on policies you disagree with

(30:13) Entry-level jobs may have little responsibility or influence

(30:59) Job Satisfaction

(32:20) Is congressional staffing right for you?

(32:25) What is it like day-to-day?

(33:54) What traits do you need to do well in this career?

(36:40) How does it compare to other related options?

(36:45) Positions in the US executive branch

(37:56) Academia and think tank research

(38:13) How do you get in?

(38:17) What background do you need?

(39:12) How to build expertise

(39:29) Get a policy relevant graduate degree

(41:48) Work in other areas of policy

(42:02) How to get jobs

(42:10) Keep a low profile

(42:25) Meet people

(43:38) Do an internship or fellowship

(44:49) Further advice

(45:10) How do you excel and have impact once you're in?

(45:14) Where should you aim to work in the long run?

(45:24) Committees relevant to the most pressing problems

(47:21) Congressional leadership

(47:44) Individual members of Congress

(48:52) How should you build career capital on the job?

(49:30) Find a mentor

(50:07) Build a network of experts

(50:40) Learn more

(50:43) Top recommendations

(51:01) Further recommendations

(51:46) Questions for further investigation

(52:26) Get free, one-on-one career advice

The original text contained 32 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:
May 17th, 2018

Source:
https://80000hours.org/career-reviews/congressional-staffer

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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