Trying to break into politics is a lot like being an aspiring actor in LA. At first you think you're competing against every other actor struggling to land auditions. Then you realize you're also competing against every great working actor looking to move up the chain.

I say this because I do some mentoring with GWU undergrads, and the first thing a lot of them ask is, "How do I get into government/on a prez campaign?" and I have to tell them, listen, I have no idea. I've spent every cycle since college trying to answer that for myself.

But I try to encourage younger aspiring politicos to cut their own path based on what they love, because unless you're at one of the top schools and have deep pre-existing political/govt connections to draw on, breaking into the field seems like a total crapshoot.

I also try to be realistic with folks. It's humbling and crazy that people occasionally ask me "how I made it" in this field. And I have to tell them that's news to me, it sure doesn't feel like it based on the goalposts I set out for myself in high school. But it's kind to say!

There are layers of complexity to this, like with acting, that are invisible from a distance and don't reveal themselves until you're actually trying to build a career in this field. And in politics the hierarchy and gatekeeping is worse than most. Be conscious of that.

I say this as someone looking at his 15 year career in political communications since college and wondering what is next. That's a scary position to be in, and one I try to be transparent about when mentoring. I don't want to present a falsely rosy picture of this hustle.

That said, I always encourage mentees to reach out to people doing the work they want to do. It's a useful exercise, and it'll help you determine if this is something to pursue as a career or just as a side passion. And be skeptical of anyone who found easy success.

Anyway, the lesson here is I'm kind of a downer mentor but I hope in offering unvarnished insights from my own career I help younger aspiring communicators think more purposefully about charting their course. These kids deserve honesty, not feel-good platitudes.