Show Notes
Would you enjoy working in (a particular role within) policy or be miserable? This article discusses what qualities you need to succeed in policy and suggests ways to test your “fit” for policy work to get real-world feedback. --- Outline: (02:24) Thinking about your fit for policy (02:54) Your fit for policy work in general (04:43) Your fit for specific policy institutions, roles, and areas (06:34) Attributes for policy career success (07:29) Helpful attributes for most policy jobs (11:14) Helpful attributes for some policy jobs (15:20) Common misconceptions about personal fit for policy work (17:46) Differences in fit between policy institutions (18:40) Congress (20:07) Executive branch (21:17) Think tanks (22:56) Other institutions (23:37) Testing your fit for policy careers (25:51) Cheap tests (hours to days) (30:43) Medium-effort tests (weeks to months) (36:17) High-effort tests (months to years)
---
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 5 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. ---
Last updated:
January 15th, 2024
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/essentials/policy-fit-testing
More from Policy Career Guides
New to policy? This guide explains what public policy is, how policy change happens, why you might want to work in policy, and where you could work. --- Outline: (00:42) What is public policy? (02:54) How is policy made? (10:32) Why work in public policy? (10:35) Making a difference (15:35) Personal fulfillment (17:38) Understanding policy careers (18:15) Policy fit (19:57) Specializations and types of roles (22:02) Career pathways (24:27) Where could you work? (25:51) Executive branch (28:48) Congress (31:09) Think tanks (33:45) State governments (34:28) Multilateral institutions and other national governments (35:30) Next steps (36:36) Further reading
Many undergraduates consider pursuing a career in US policy but are uncertain about how to test their fit and get a foot in the door. This post provides advice and highlights opportunities for college students. --- Outline: (00:25) Summary (06:31) Work experience, networking, and skill development (06:36) Mindset and goals (07:12) Exploration (08:27) Professional development (09:30) Internships (10:40) On-campus work: research and teaching assistantships (RA/TA) (12:41) Policy fellowships (14:08) Networking and mentorship (14:56) Skill development (15:30) Academics (16:16) What to study (19:36) Grades (22:36) Graduate school (24:09) Other advice (24:12) Campus student groups (25:47) Scholarships and funding opportunities (27:31) Security clearances
Your professional development consists of anything that helps you prepare for and excel in policy work, including your (1) skills, (2) knowledge, (3) network, and (4) credentials. --- Outline: (00:11) Why professional development matters (03:16) Components of professional development (03:20) Skills (04:32) Knowledge (05:07) Understanding DC culture (06:14) Institutional policy knowledge (07:25) Domain-specific policy knowledge (08:52) Network (09:22) Credentials (10:49) Savings (11:22) How do I advance my professional development? (14:24) Should I aim to specialize or become a generalist? (16:20) What to specialize in? Issues, levers, and institutions
Your professional development consists of anything that helps you prepare for and excel in policy work, including your (1) skills, (2) knowledge, (3) network, and (4) credentials. --- Outline: (00:10) Policy career essentials (00:26) Introduction to policy careers (00:40) Testing your fit for policy (00:58) Professional development
This article discusses whether you need a graduate degree to work in policy, the benefits that graduate school provides, and some considerations against. --- Outline: (01:06) Do you need a graduate degree to work in policy? (03:38) Professional development from a policy-oriented graduate degree (04:37) Credentialing (05:36) Networking (07:25) Knowledge (12:12) Professional skills (13:14) Work experience (14:10) Why not do a graduate degree for policy work?