Also called: Senator
One of 100 lawmakers in the U.S. Senate who write federal laws, approve judges, and ratify treaties.
A senator's day is chopped into 15-minute blocks: committee hearings, votes on the Senate floor, meetings with constituents and lobbyists, and TV interviews. They manage staffs of 30-60 people and fly home most weekends to their state. Campaigns cost tens of millions of dollars.
Fixed congressional salary ($174,000 since 2009); leadership earns more.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. No required degree; you must win an election. Most have a bachelor's and many are lawyers or business owners.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, Law (JD), Economics, History.
Growing slowly. Only 100 seats; elections every 6 years.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps staff read bills and answer mail; voters choose people to represent them, so the seat itself stays human.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, AP U.S. History, Economics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-1031.
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