Legislative Aide

FACTS:

• These positions involve long hours and the environment may be stressful, competitive and very partisan.
• Legislative aides also work in the nonprofit and business sectors on government affairs or public interest issues.
• Senator’s Fred Thompson and Hillary Rodham Clinton worked as legislative aides before running for office themselves.

THE JOB:

Legislative aides help legislators prepare preliminary drafts of bills; they also monitor proposed and pending legislation. Legislative aides often keep an eye on breaking news events in areas of responsibility and evaluate and devise responsive legislative proposals. They also recommend legislative and political actions to be taken, including helping reelection efforts. Politicians can't be everywhere at once, so their legislative aides represent them in meetings with interest group representatives and constituents.

SKILLS:

Legislative aides must be able to conduct research using a wide range of sources and to synthesize complex information. Strong writing and communication skills and a base of knowledge in a policy area are also required. Like the politicians they work for, legislative aides should be able to interact effectively with various types of people who hold differing points of view.

EDUCATION:

A bachelor's degree is required for these positions. Some legislators require legislative staff members to have masters or law degrees. Advanced study in a particular policy area is strongly recommended.

OUTLOOK:

Positions with political office holders depend on the incumbent's ability to win reelection. Job prospects are often dependent on the political cycle. Democratic or Republican legislative candidates may perform better at the polls during a particular time. Competition is keen at the federal, state and local government levels.

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