I'm a 14 (soon 15) year old wondering about work experience...?

Question

I want to be a director, a politician, or who knows what really... when I'm older. My original plan was to do my work experience at ITV or BBC, but I've now found out there isn't any in the area. So now, I have nothing to turn to. Any ideas? What do you do if you want to be a politician?

Answer 1

Hi, I think it's really good that you're planning this now and are focused on your career!
If I was you, I'd write to the local MP, explain what it is you are looking for and your own opinions and interests. He/she will be very impressed with this and will more than likely be able to point you in the right direction, especially as they will be helping the community and be seen to doing a good turn in the publics eyes. Get in contact with your local newspaper and tell them about it, try and get a photo of you wearing a suit or something, be really confident in your plans and I bet all politicians will be jumping at the chance to get you involved, it's fantastic publicity for them as so few youngsters are interested, and it helps you out!
Good luck! X

Answer 2

I doubt you'll get much from an MP, other than an invitation to visit the House of Commons. A huge proportion of MPs commence as local councillors (district councils, county councils, metropolitan boroughs). So I'd try the local angle. Again, for work experience, I doubt you'll have any councillor allowing you to shadow him/her (especially because of the unconventional hours). However you could try getting close to the policy making process through the committee administration team (often called democratic services, these days). Ask at your local council (don't bother with town or parish councils though - too small-scale). If you are really serious about being a career politician, then you should now join the party that you support, and make sure it is one that has MPs in Westminster.

Answer 3

Learn to lie a lot and don't give a hoot about anyone but yourself.

Being a politician is hard, don't waste your time unless you have juice with some moxie and a lot of powerful friends and family.

With a lot of money..........

At 15 you need to focus on your education, because without it you will not be a successful politician. Without the education and I mean work towards being accepted at one of the top 10 Universities. If your family and friends can't get you in one of them plus excellent grades on your part, then you don't have the moxie to become a successful politician. The best politician you will become is standing on a soap box preaching to the deaf masses.

Answer 4

at your age volunteering for campaigns will do wonders for you 5 to 10 years from now when things start to get big time and by then you are still very young and well into the political side of the world.

With the internet these days, you may consider going and starting a political blog to bring attention to you and hit up some traffic sites for promoting......You seem very intelligent, way beyond 14 or 15 so I will keep an eye out for you! Good Luck

Answer 5

Get some volunteer work with a charitable organization that handles human rights or something like it. Also plan to keep this job for a couple summers and maybe even into your collage years it will look good on your curriculum vitae. Also any summer job that is with your local city gov., community service is good experience too. Another idea is talk to your local community leaders and tell them about your goals and ambitions they might be able to help you out and even get you some kind of internship with their ofces so you can learn what politics are all about. Good Luck !!!

Answer 6

The BBC has hundreds of work experience placements - did you check through their website http://www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience - the list is constantly updated, so if there's nothing listed for your area at the moment, keep checking.

The National Council for Work Experience has lots of resources on their site - http://www.work-experience.org

Re: politics - you could try writing to your local MP, say how much you're interested in a political career and that you're looking for work experience. Tell them that you would really like to visit the House of Commons and would it be possible for him or her to show you round (if it's possible for you and a guardian to visit London) - there's a great resource for finding and contacting all your local politicians, it's at http://www.writetothem.com/

I've written a guide to making the most of your work placement at http://www.journalism.co.uk/features/story1460.shtml

I hope you find a great placement.

Answer 7

Try contacting your local city and county councils and perhaps also your local MP, as this may allow you to get some experience in the workings of local government, which will be good experience if you have an interest in politics!

Answer 8

First of all you need to decide what your life principals are, then look at the various political parties manifestos and decide which one best matches your desires and aspirations for a better society. Start of leafleting and then get into local government, parish or local council, and work up from there.

Please note, I am not suggesting which party is best, if there is one.

Answer 9

definitely get involved in campaigns, but i'd put off getting a job. Think about how many hours per week you'd work, and spend that time studying. You'll probably end up with better grades. Guaranteed the scholarships that you could get with the better grades will be more than you would've made working in high school.

Answer 10

ring up the pope and ask him can you do a bit of PA work for him with the Muslims.

on a serious note spend your fortnight finding a local issue bugging everybody and ring around all the papers, TV and local radio stations until somebody listens to what you have found. this will give you a buzz to carry on into politics good luck