OK you political wunderkinds you ... where does one look to find a political job these days? Any websites or political staffing agencies or anything?
Here's the skinny ... my girlfriend is the smartest political person I've ever met. One year ago tonight about a half an hour after the polls closed, she said to me, "God, why won't they shut up? Bush won. They're going to say it's the evangelicals but they'll be wrong. They're not going to call it until tomorrow because of Ohio. Duh. I'm going to bed." She called the Miers withdrawal and the appointment of a hard-right alternative days before either one happened. And I can't tell you how many other things she's predicted for good or ill.
So anyway. She spent a year as an intern for Diane Feinstein. She singlehandedly broke up an embezzlement ring. (Not in Feinstein's office, at a different job.) She's got a degree in political science from Cal Poly, which for some reason she thinks is not worth much. She moved to Wisconsin for law school and is currently hanging out until she saves up enough money to go. The question for you all after the flip ...
So, she's been working at this cute little coffee shop and having a fun stress-free job but not making enough to save up for school. And working weekends sucks ass. So she's looking for a regular 9-5 job, doesn't need to get rich but would like not to have to rely on tips. I asked her if she'd like an office job or a job in student services at some tech college or something (that's what she did in San Diego for a while right after college) and she said those wouldn't make her happy. What would, I asked. Politics.
So, I figure, we live right here in the capital of Wisconsin. There's got to be some democratic legislator or caucus or committee that has an opening for a political adviser or legislative aide. Or maybe a cabinet secretary or maybe even like a labor union or something who could use a policy analyst. Trouble is, I don't know where to look. Turns out Monster.com doesn't have much if you search for "policy analyst." And the state job site doesn't list political jobs, only administrative civil service jobs.
I'm a business journalist and not all that terribly connected to the political players, but I know people who are, so I'll be asking them for guidance. But I wondered if any of you know of any websites or other resources where legislators, organizations, whatever, list job openings .... your help is most appreciated!
