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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've done a lot of political work. Those hours are normal for that kind of work, maybe even a little better than normal. It's rough, but it's truly the best experience she can get if this is what she wants to do professionally.

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I meant to add that sometimes after volunteering for the summer, these positions are made paid after Labor Day. A lot of people I worked with in my early days took off the fall semester of a presidential election year to work FT on the campaign. They all returned in Jabuary, all finished college, all are gainfully employed adults now.[/quote]
Sure. Did you do their work until January? No. You profited by the free labor, right? And who paid their rent? Food, etc?[/quote]

I don't understand your point. They took a semester off college. I didn't do their college work for them, they just didn't take classes. They were paid (the equivalent of about $30k/year), from August-December (after they decided to take the semester off). I made the same rate, but I was on payroll from February-December (I had graduated the spring before, worked on the Hill for 9 months, then left to work on the campaign). Nobody "profited". Our candidate happened to win, but I have friends who worked on the opponent's campaign, and their experiences and subsequent career advancement are similar.

We paid their own rent (or had parental help). In some cases, when the individual was from out of state and didn't have other housing options, rich donors or other campaign loyalists with big houses made rooms available for free. This was for the shorter term staff (Sept-Nov).

We paid for our own food. There was catered lunch and dinner during the week--it was really cheap, like $35 for the week, I think the caterer was a supporter and gave it to us at cost. There was often free food given by supporters. The "campaign moms" (usually the ones who opened up their houses) would bring us cookies in the afternoon. Wealthy (grown up) volunteers or other contributors would pay our bar tabs at night (we left the office at about 9 and went to the bar most nights).

I gained 15 pounds of campaign weight because there was no shortage of food (but there was a shortage of free time to go to the gym). I also don't remember worrying about money, more than any 23 year old does.

It was exhausting and at times very emotional, but it was one of the best jobs I ever had, and I don't think I was exploited. I am still friends with my coworkers from my campaign job, and the experience and connections have really helped me professionally.[/quote]

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