Career Description
A Campaign Manager is responsible for nearly every aspect of an election campaign.  Often working with the candidate and/or a political consultant, campaign managers develop and implement strategy.  The campaign manager also supervises and directs campaign staff.

Career Profile
Name: Ivonne Gutierrez
Position: Deputy Campaign Manager, Manny Diaz for California State Senate
Education:  BA Political Science, Minor Business

Career Bio: Volunteer Coordinator, Nora Campos for City Council, Community Relations Coordinator, District Five, Office of Councilmember Nora Campos, Deputy Campaign Manager, Manny Diaz for State Senate.

Advantages:  Ivonne Gutierrez believes that working on a campaign helps ensure that the people elect the best representation possible through the practice and preservation of the democratic process.  Often in a campaign a person hears first hand the concerns of the community.  She is often inspired by both the candidate and the people.

Disadvantages:  Working on a campaign entails long hours of hard work.  Campaign staffers find their lives on loan to the candidate.  Your time often becomes the time of your principal as the campaign becomes your number one priority.

Advice:  When working on a campaign you have to be committed and have a strong conviction, as you will find yourself constantly tested.  Strong communication skills are required for this type of profession.  Those who are interested should stay up to date on the issues and volunteer for someone or something that interests you.

How a background in Political Science will help:  A background in political science will obviously help you tremendously. Political science in all its aspects comes into play when working on an election campaign.