Career Spotlight: Legislative Aide

Are you a good communicator? Do you enjoy doing research and analyzing data? Is making arrangements and planning trips something you love to do?

If so, you should consider a career as a Legislative Aide!

Legislative aides work with representatives, senators and government officials to manage communication with constituents, organize representatives’ schedules, research legislation and typically direct activities in their offices. The requirements for a position as a legislative aide often vary according to the office and needs of the legislator.

Education Required:

Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree

Skills and Personal Abilities:

Written and Oral Communication

Organization

Critical Thinking

Monitoring

Pathways and Salary Information:

Most employers require that legislative aides have a bachelor’s degree. There is no specific degree of study required to work as a legislative assistant, but degrees in fields of political science, social science, business or public administration may be preferred. So, one pathway to becoming a legislative aide is by obtaining an undergraduate degree. You may also want to enroll in a graduate program, pursue internships and volunteer opportunities as well as obtain experience in administrative support. If you would like more information about legislative aides, check out this article from Chron.

Legislative aides carry different titles as well as salaries. Check out Congressional Staff Salaries here.

Legal assistants and paralegals are often grouped in the same category as legislative aides. Another pathway to becoming a legislative aid is to become a paralegal. The median wage for a paralegal is $47,570 in the state of Alabama and the field is growing. Several community colleges offer a 2 year degree for legal assistants/paralegals. If you are interested in learning more about paralegals/legal assistants, check out this BLS website.

Would you want to be a legislative aide? Why or why not?