Power
If you're seeking power, linguistics would be an unusual way to go. That's not to say that there isn't some influence to be exercised by a person in this position...but you're no police officer.
Linguists not only look at the way language is and the way it was, they look at where it's going. Some linguists are even in the position to make decisions about where it should go. For example, there are linguists who help write dictionaries. Imagine being on a committee to decide whether "swag" is a word or not, or at least, what type of word it is.
The real power of a linguist is more of a knowledge-is-power type of power. A good linguist could have the power to draw connections among powerful people or governments. Linguists have been known to do good work during times of change in governments (source). As we know, those doesn't always go over so smooth.
Oh yeah, and if you stick with it long enough, you're sure to have some underlings to boss around.