Despite all the turmoil in Washington today, my 11 year old son has political aspirations of one day serving in Congress. To meet this goal, what should his career path look like? Marietta, GA - 5/3/00

There are as many different career paths that lead to Congress as there are probably Members! No one pattern guarantees success over any other. Electability is most often a function of the suitability of one's views to the times, level of competition in one's own party, the strengths of one's opposition, and adequate resources. Personal characteristics such as an outgoing personality and debate and oratorical skills are assets, but again, do not guarantee victory. However, since you hail from Georgia, here are some representative career paths of the Members elected from your own state.

Senator Paul Coverdell

• Journalism degree
• Army service
• Business management
• Elected to Georgia State Senate
• Chairman, Georgia Republican party
• Director, U.S. Peace Corps
• Elected to United States Senate

Senator Max Cleland

• Masters degree
• Army service
• Elected to Georgia State Senate
• Georgia Secretary of State
• Staff Member, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
• Director, U.S. Veterans' Administration
• Elected to United States Senate

Congressman Jack Kingston

• College studies
• Insurance salesman
• Elected Member, Georgia State Legislature
• Elected to United States House of Representatives

Congressman Sanford Bishop

• Law degree
• Elected Member, Georgia State Legislature
• Elected to Georgia State Senate
• Elected to United States House of Representatives

Congressman Mac Collins

• High School education
• Small business owner
• Elected to Georgia State Senate
• Chairman, Butts County Republican party
• Director, Georgia Forestry Association
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney

• B.A. degree; PhD candidate
• Elected Member, Georgia State Legislature
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman John Lewis

• B.A. degree; Divinity degree
• Civil rights activist
• Atlanta City Council
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Newt Gingrich

• PhD in history
• College professor
• Chairman, GOPAC political action committee
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
• Elected House Republican Whip
• Elected Speaker of the House of Representatives

Congressman Bob Barr

• Law degree
• Private legal practice
• U.S. Attorney; prosecutor
• Employee, Central Intelligence Agency
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Saxby Chambliss

• Law degree
• Colquitt County Economic Development Corporation
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Nathan Deal

• Law degree
• Army service
• Elected to Georgia State Senate
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Charles Norwood

• Dental degree
• Army service
• Dental practice
• Small business owner
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman John Linder

• Dental degree
• Air Force service
• Dental practice
• Small business owner
• Elected to Georgia State Senate
• Elected to U.S. House of Representatives