• Politician
• Scottish Government

Politician

To most young people politics is about as exciting as a game of monopoly with your Gran.

The House of Commons can seem like a room full of boring old men in suits droning on about things and getting very little done. However there are many different aspects to the job and politics certainly does not have to be boring. After all, in his youth Tony Blair acted in plays and sang in a rock band-there’s hope for us all!

Believe it or not if you really want to change the world then politics is your best chance to do it. Maybe that sounds a little over-dramatic, but is it? When I say change the world I don’t just mean getting involved in issues like global warming or famine, but issues that affect you and your community. When you walk around your local area do you see things that need changing? I know I do, but I never actually do anything about it! Perhaps you feel there should be more facilities for youngsters in your area? Maybe you’re sick of the sight of graffiti, or annoyed by how long it takes a relative to get a hospital appointment?

If that’s the case, and you’re a pro-active person with a desire to improve the everyday lives of your friends, family and neighbours, then politics is for you. You could become a Member of the UK Parliament, or a member of the Scottish Government, or even Scotland’s First Minister, the new Alex Salmond!

Or, if you’d feel more comfortable behind the scenes than in front of the cameras, the Civil Service may interest you. Politicians make the big decisions, but its civil servants who do the real work-putting the politician’s plans into action.

And that’s not all, YOZILA reader, you could also be a...

• Researcher-studying the statistics to help politicians understand society and make informed decisions
• Politics lecturer-my own politics lecturer Mr Geekie was so good at his job that he made politics interesting, accessible and dare I say it-exciting!
• Press Secretary-managing a political parties relationship with the media
• Solicitor-politicians always need legal advice-especially these days!
• Satirist-like Rory Bremner or Ian Hislop, making fun of politicians for a living!

And more-with a politics degree your options are virtually limitless. Politics courses are available at Strathclyde University http://www.strath.ac.uk  

and The University of the West of Scotland  

http://www.uws.ac.uk/courses

The expenses scandal has tarnished the British political system, but don’t let that discourage you. Its time for the next generation i.e. you, to step in and show the politicians how it’s done.