Politics is a difficult but rewarding profession for young adults, former presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis told an audience of more than 40 area students at the Institute of Politics yesterday afternoon.

The former governor of Massachusetts and winner of the 1988 Democratic presidential primary gave an autobiographical sketch of his involvement is government and addressed questions concerning the beginning of a career in politics.

"Get involved in someone else's campaign and show that you have the abilities." Dukakis advised prospective politicians at the study group on "politics 101: Never Too young to run."

He warned students that professions in the public sector can be difficult. "You have to like it: you have to have lots of energy, it's not a business for the faint-hearted and you have to have a lot of help," Dukakis said.

But he encouraged any interested young adults to pursue careers in the public sector.

"Nothing is more personally satisfying, existing and rewarding--although not financially satisfying -- than a profession in the political arena," he said.

Dukakis advised prospective politicians to start their careers as early as possible.

He recalled that he started to follow election returns on T.V at age seven and was president of his class in the third grade.

Dukakis pushed students to begin at a local level in government--to build their reputations through personal contact as he did in running for town government.

"I'm the guy that started at the lowest point on the totem pole and worked my way up from there," he said.

A Politician is much more responsive to the demands of the public if her starts at the local level and maintains personal contact, according to Dukakis.

He encouraged door to door campaigning and other forms of one on one contact, considering them "indispensable ingredients" in a good campaign.

"Personal contact can be more important than the media. There is no substitute for personal contact; as the media gets more involved, contact becomes more valuable and important." he said.

Dukakis advised potential candidates to set aside budgets before beginning their campaigns, so as to avoid corruption and maintain the discipline to stand by their financial plans.

He explained that a staff with experience and good instincts must be selected cautiously.

"Pick good people who will understand integrity and sympathize and implement your standards," he said. "They must be very bright, able and hard working, but most importantly, they must have public skill."