If you're one of those folks who has been hearing about how to become an activist, but aren't sure how to take the plunge, there are a few things you need to understand. Activists are much more than people who show up at hearings and Capitol Hill hearings and sit on their hands while Congressmen grill them about the issues. They're also concerned citizens who have a stake in keeping our government operating and a wide variety of other issues that affect our country.

How to become an activist is much broader than just going to Washington and speaking up for your beliefs and feeling good about yourself. There is a big difference between being an Internet blogger who blogs about Facebook or other social media websites, and the hundreds of thousands who work for nonprofits, governmental agencies, special interest groups, and nonprofit organizations all over the country on issues ranging from global warming to reproductive health to animal rights. Activism is much more than calling your representatives. You need to learn how to become an activist not only because you care about certain issues, but also because you want to make a difference. Activists can be found everywhere, but you'll need to know how to become one in order to see results.

First, when learning how to become an activist, you have to decide what your goals are. Are you hoping to go to Washington and get people to stand up and support your cause? Are you hoping to make the Capitol redo its environmental policy and get rid of all the archaic laws that are costing us money? Are you hoping to bring about changes in education, business practices, and even in religion? The world is your oyster; anything is possible!

Once you've determined your goals and you have a clear vision for how to become an activist, you need to learn how to begin doing it. There are many different avenues to take to achieve your goals, and the best thing you can do is to find which way works for you. Keep in mind that some activism comes easier than others. If you are particularly good at public speaking, there may be countless ways to publicize your ideals and spread awareness about them. Other activists get more satisfaction from joining local clubs or other groups in order to spread their message.

Another important question to ask yourself when wondering how to become an activist is whether or not you will actually get out into the streets and do the action. Many people who do a great deal of non-violent action are not particularly good at public speaking. Agency might have a very good idea on how to become an activist, but if you don't feel comfortable speaking to people at the mall, the library, or anywhere else, you won't be able to take action. This may be the most important question to ask yourself. Can you be an organizer or an actual activist?

Activists generally have an affinity for direct action. There are Agency to learn how to become an organizer, and some people prefer to go to school to learn this aspect of activism. Other activists like to work around the issue of social injustice or poverty with an intimate community group.

One of the key skills you must develop in order to learn how to become an organizer is how to use the written word and document to promote your cause. For instance, if you want to go to a local rally against violence in the media, you should speak before you speak. Use powerful words that can influence other people to get involved in your cause. Document everything you do, and make copies of anything you write.

Some people prefer to become environmentalists while others would rather focus on animal rights. There are other ways to learn how to become an activist as well. While Agency will most certainly have to take part in some form of direct action, you may also find time to study law school. If Agency have a strong educational background in the sciences, such as physics, biology, or mathematics, you can pursue work as a research scientist, or a policy analyst in a government office. You may even find employment as a reporter working for a news station or television network.