“Start Now, Move Later”: Political Career Advice for Gen Z

“Start Now, Move Later”: Political Career Advice for Gen Z

A message to all the Gen Z applicants trying to break into politics:

Every year, I give the same piece of advice to recent college graduates: you don’t have to fully move to start a political job—but you do need to be ready to move quickly.

This doesn’t just apply to campaign work. I’m talking about jobs in D.C., consulting firms, non-profits, state legislatures—anywhere political talent is needed.

Here’s what I tell people: put your stuff in a storage unit near your parents’ or friends’ house. Get a one to three-month Airbnb. Be ready to roll. Start the job first, get your bearings, and then make the big move once you know it’s the right fit and the right city.

Let me explain why this works.

How I Got My First Break (and Met a Future President)

When I graduated college, it was in the middle of a presidential primary. A consultant urgently needed someone for grassroots public affairs work in New Hampshire. They were drowning in town halls and needed help now.

Because my stuff was already in storage, I jumped in the car and got there within 24 hours. I beat out people 10 times more qualified—not because I was the best on paper, but because I was the fastest to say yes.

That one move changed my life. I bowled with Rand Paul, got Ted Cruz to jokingly endorse my fraternity, went to 140 presidential candidate town halls, and even met President Trump. None of that would have happened if I had been busy packing up an apartment.

Why Flexibility Still Matters—Even in Full-Time Roles

Later on, I accepted a political recruitment job in Texas—a state I had never even visited.

If I had signed a lease before stepping foot in the city, I would have been making a huge gamble. Instead, I packed what I needed, flew in, and gave myself a few weeks to learn the layout, crush the job, and figure out where I actually wanted to live.

Once I felt confident, I took a long weekend to move into the part of town that made the most sense for me. No pressure. No stress.

Time Is Everything—Especially in Politics

In this industry, the most valuable currency is time. If you’re entry-level, the person who can start tomorrow has a massive edge over someone who’s still apartment hunting.

Don’t be the person who delays a job offer over a moving checklist. Be the person who gets going and figures it out along the way.

Worst case? You take a risk, and it’s not the right fit. Good news: you didn’t sign a year-long lease. You can recalibrate and try again.

Final Advice: Stay Ready, So You Don’t Have to Get Ready

Gen Z—you’ve got this. Be scrappy. Be mobile. Be fast to say yes. That one moment of flexibility could open the door to the career you didn’t even know you could take.

And remember: You don’t need to fully move to start moving forward.