What does it take to succeed in office?

Elected officials, such as district trustees, work long hours for no pay and are often the target of public criticism and scrutiny for decisions they make.

So why would anyone want to serve and what personal qualities do good officials need?

Monday is the last day for individuals to apply for the District 1, 2, 3 and 7 trustee positions for the Alamo Community College District.

"It comes with the territory," political science Chair Paul Wilson said in an interview Tuesday, referring to officials being a magnet for criticism. "I think you have to know that going in."

It's probably a healthier environment where citizens criticize the people making decisions, he said. Wilson is familiar with the role of public officials because he served as mayor of Jourdanton in South Texas.

He said that some people think they can use these positions as a launching pad for higher office but are disappointed to see that it's usually not. In addition to public criticism, elected officials can be drawn into litigation.

So would the ideal candidate be a resilient person who can stand constant criticism?

Wilson said oddly enough, politics sometimes attracts thin-skinned people who find it difficult to bear criticism.

Psychology Chair Thomas Billimek said generally it's difficult for people to be criticized, especially when the attacks become personal.

Typically, elected officials have a higher level of self-confidence and are better able to cope with pressure, he said.

"Leadership is not a fun thing," Billimek said. He added running for office requires a great deal of preparation in reviewing the organization with Internet research, attending meetings, and talking to board members and constituents.

The irony, Wilson said, is that some people run for public office for recognition from the community.

One of the perks of being elected into a public position, Wilson said, is being able to see tangible changes such as buildings being built, but sometimes changes are less tangible.

In his experience, he said serving was a really rewarding experience.

"You don't watch things happen; you make things happen," Wilson said.

He said elected officials tend to be more extroverted because they become involved in a social process.

Wilson said that in the case of trustees, their first responsibility is to be caretakers of the public's money. They need to ensure public funds are being wisely spent.

Second, trustees have a responsibility to respond to their constituents.

Wilson said that this may be easier in small towns, but he remembers actually going down to city hall and talking to all of the employees.

Sometimes it's difficult to separate the needs of the 10 percent of the community that calls in from the 90 percent that don't, he said.

Wilson said that elected officials need to be prepared to make decisions that some people will be unhappy with.

Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communication chair, agrees with Wilson that elected officials must be able to actively listen to their constituents.

Wilson said it's important for the elected official to actively listen and devote their full attention to what is being said. After that, they can gauge what would be an appropriate response.

Hunt, who was elected Faculty Senate president, said that they shouldn't just nod their heads. Also, elected officials should try to verify and make sure what they are hearing are real issues in the community they serve.

Hunt said despite politicians' motto "fake it till you make it," he teaches his speech students to always be sincere and speak from the heart. "I think to be an effective candidate, you need to be sincere whatever your message is," he said.

He said the candidate should do research and see who votes historically and determine the basic demographics, interests and hobbies of the people who live in that community.

Voters may be looking for commonality, Hunt said. "These days, people look for someone they can relate to," he said. Wilson said that generally anyone interested in public office should know how to agreeably disagree and that there's not just one right way to do anything.