How to Become President: A Realistic Path to the White House

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a President that was actually ready and totally qualified to lead the country? To lead a diverse people and bring the citizenship together and get elected to the highest office, what would you need? I think you’d need someone who understood the political landscape in order to navigate it, a very sound understanding of the economy and business, public policy, experience with governing, trained and experienced in foreign policy, and have a history of military service. These are appropriate qualifications needed for the office.

I did a lot of research and assembled this step-by-step guide, a possible pathway to the presidency if you will. This path starts in High School as a student, and takes him or her through college, including military service, gaining real-world experience and training for domestic and foreign policy expertise and leadership. This is just one man’s opinion, but frankly this is the kind of background and preparation I would like to see in a US President.

I posted a while ago about this but in retrospect it was a bit unrealistic, and too broad. My approach now is more refined, focused, and retains balance to avoid burnout. This example starts again in high school and takes place in North Carolina for a male who is a moderate conservative, but it can readily be adapted for any gender, state or political persuasion. I will be making the assumption that the person will have a strong character, be ambitious and tenacious, intellectually gifted and a natural leader. Significantly, he’d be seeking the office for the right reason: to best serve the American people and our founding principles.

Phase I: High School Foundation

The high school years in this plan are intentionally designed to produce a well-rounded, academically accomplished, and civically engaged student who is not only highly competitive for UNC Chapel Hill, but also develops the foundational skills, leadership, and habits necessary for long-term success in college, career, and public service. It’s crucial not to overload but maintain a balanced approach through the process.

Do well in school

He’d take challenging classes, aim for mostly A’s (3.8 GPA or higher), and get good SAT or ACT scores to be ready for UNC Chapel Hill. Math classes like AP Statistics and AP Calculus would build strong problem-solving skills. Taking Mandarin as a foreign language would be terrific given the global political climate

Grow as a leader

Taking on bigger roles each year in activities like a Model UN chapter (especially about world issues), sports teams (work toward being team captain), and student government are essential. He’d practice working with others, handling challenges, and speaking confidently in front of groups.

Get real experience in policy and service

He’d conscientiously apply for special programs and internships (like the Heritage Foundation or working at House Page program at the NC General Assembly). Start and lead projects that help the community, like a garden or youth forum, and show he can stick with something and make a real difference. Connect what he outside of class to real-world issues and public service.

Show interest in UNC

Joining UNC programs for high school students (like Project Uplift) to show he’s serious about going there would be huge. Get to know UNC teachers, mentors, and students so he can get strong recommendation letters and feel comfortable on campus.

Phase II: Undergraduate Education (UNC Chapel Hill)

The undergraduate years are designed to produce a graduate who is academically accomplished, quantitatively skilled, regionally specialized, professionally networked, and personally resilient–fully prepared for competitive graduate programs and a trajectory toward public leadership.

Do well in classes

Major in Political Science and minor in Business at UNC Chapel Hill. Keep his grades high (at least a 3.7 GPA) to show he’s ready for top graduate schools.

Build strong math and research skills

Take classes like econometrics, data science, and research methods. These help him learn how to analyze data and solve real policy problems.

Become an expert in a specific area

Focus his studies on international politics, especially issues between the U.S. and Asia. Keep taking Mandarin and, if possible, add a minor in Asian Studies.

Get real-world experience

Do internships and fellowships with groups like the Heritage Foundation college program, the legislative NC General Assembly, or the State Department. Any of these would give him hands-on policy experience and help him meet important people in the field. Complete a big research project (capstone) on a major issue, like military healthcare or technology competition with China.

Begin military service and increase leadership

Joining the Army National Guard’s ROTC program, aiming toward the Intelligence Officer path starts his military service. Take on leadership roles in campus groups (like Model UN or College Republicans), but focus on making a real impact instead of just joining lots of clubs. Practice working with others and leading teams through group projects, military service, and research.

Prepare for the next steps

Put together a strong application for graduate school, including recommendation letters from professors, mentors, and military supervisors. He’d build his network by connecting with professionals, alumni, and mentors in policy and international affairs.

Phase III: Graduate Education and Military Service

The graduate education and military service years are designed to transform him into a quantitatively skilled, strategically specialized, and operationally experienced policy leader. These years provide the advanced knowledge, hands-on experience, professional network, and personal resilience required for competitive entry into high-level public service, defense policy, and eventual elected or appointed leadership.

Become an expert in public policy and data skills

He’d go to Georgetown for its outstanding Public Policy program and unparalleled access to influential people in Washington DC. He’d take classes in economics and data analysis, and learn how to use facts and numbers to make smart policy decisions. He’d focus his studies on national security and foreign policy, especially topics like U.S.-China relations and technology issues. Taking advanced math and data classes increases his ability to understand and solve tough policy problems.

Get real-world policy experience

Work in important internships or fellowships (like at the Pentagon, State Department, or consulting firms) to use what he’s learned in class on real projects. Lead or help with a big research project on a major issue, showing he can handle real policy work and get results. He’d write and publish articles or opinion pieces about policy to show his expertise.

Grow as a military leader

Serving as a National Guard Intelligence Officer gains hands-on experience in leadership, analysis, and handling tough situations. He’d get assignments or training that focus on international or Indo-Pacific issues, like working with military teams in that region. He’s use military service to build leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills, and earn security clearances that help his policy career.

Build the professional network and career

Make connections with teachers, mentors, policymakers, and military leaders to open doors for jobs and advice. Stay active in alumni groups from school, the military, and policy organizations to find opportunities and build support for his career. He’d get ready for high-level jobs in defense policy, consulting, or government, setting himself up for leadership roles in the future.

Phase IV: Career and Political Ascent

He’s gotten a terrific grounding in multiple domains now, could you ask for a better start on a career to lead the nation? Starting a career in government, the military, a consulting firm or a policy-related organization where he could solve real problems and get hands-on experience would come naturally now. Getting experience, building his reputation and professional network, showing leadership and preparing for higher-level roles is the entire point. He’d likely stay here into his early 30’s, before looking to start a political path.

Taking on responsibility at work and in the community such as leading projects, managing teams is essential. Running for state office would be a reasonable fit, gaining the experience, skills and public profile needed to move up to bigger jobs.

Running for governor, US senator, cabinet secretary or other senior government jobs is where he could start directly shaping important policies. Over the next decade or so he would build strong teams and networks, and develop a vision for the country and the future.

Then he’s ready to run for President, if he’s lucky.