Policy Career Guides

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(12:14) Professional skills(13:16) Work experience(14:12) Why not do a graduate degree for policy work? --- 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 11 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: April 11th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/1-why-graduate-school

This article describes and compares the most common types of graduate degrees for policy professionals—policy master’s, law school, and PhDs. ---Outline:(01:03) Degree comparison(01:52) When to do law school for policy work(02:26) When to do a PhD for policy work(03:03) Other degree types(03:07) STEM degrees(07:39) Master of Business Administration (MBA)(08:36) Master of Public Health (MPH) --- 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 11 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: August 21st, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/2-comparing-options

This article explains why we recommend that most people work for 1-3 years before going to graduate school and the situations when this advice doesn’t apply. ---Outline:(00:36) The case for working before graduate school(03:38) Exceptions: Who should do graduate school immediately?(07:15) Applying early --- 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 6 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: April 11th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/3-graduate-school-timing

A policy master’s degree often provides the best balance of benefits over costs for aspiring policy professionals. This article explains what makes these degrees distinctive. ---Outline:(00:11) About this guide(01:23) What are policy master's degrees?(04:29) Course structure(05:18) Academic versus practitioner-oriented degrees(06:17) Why (not) do a master's if you want to work in policy?(07:00) Specific reasons for doing a master's(08:19) Why not do a master's for policy work? --- 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 8 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: April 11th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/policy-masters/1-background

Some policy master’s degrees prepare you much better for a DC policy career than others. This article explains the criteria for where to apply and recommends particular schools. ---Outline:(00:27) Summary(03:04) Where to apply: Process and criteria for choosing a degree(04:08) Subject and curriculum(07:23) Location(10:48) Reputation(14:21) Opportunity cost(18:27) On-campus work opportunities(19:33) For international students: STEM degrees(21:06) Special degree features: part-time, accelerated, and dual/joint(23:24) Cross-registration options(24:30) Which specific policy masters should you consider?(25:21) Policy master's database(26:16) Top policy master's programs to consider(31:27) Acceptance rates(32:38) Experience levels and demographics --- 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 25 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: February 18th, 2025 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/policy-masters/2-where-to-apply ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

This article explains how law school works (e.g. curriculum, time commitment) and outlines steps you could take to assess your personal fit for a law degree. ---Outline:(00:12) About this guide(01:39) Summary(02:35) About law school(02:51) Curriculum(05:35) Internships, externships, and other experiential opportunities(07:17) Time commitment(09:15) Cost of attendance(09:48) Path to law school(12:24) Alternatives to law school(13:35) Testing your fit for law school --- 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 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: April 11th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/law-school/1-background-and-fit-testing

The cost of policy master’s degrees can be high. This article explains these costs and how to make them more manageable through careful planning and research. ---Outline:(00:27) Summary(01:48) Tuition and other costs of policy master's programs(05:13) How to fund graduate school(05:53) University financial aid(08:09) Financial aid bargaining(09:03) Federal financial aid(09:36) Loans and loan forgiveness programs(10:56) Government scholarship-for-service programs(12:00) Employer funding(14:44) Philanthropic scholarships(15:29) Go abroad for graduate school(18:16) Do a PhD instead of a master's --- 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 16 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: May 21st, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/policy-masters/4-cost-and-funding

This article outlines the benefits of attending law school (e.g. learning, skill development, networking, and credentials) and potential downsides (e.g. opportunity cost, mental health). ---Outline:(00:26) Summary(01:57) Law school benefits(02:00) Structural knowledge about how law and public policy work(02:40) Domain-specific knowledge about particular areas of law(05:14) Developing skills and aptitudes(07:45) Networks(09:05) Career exploration(09:27) Credentials(10:46) Other factors that might make law school a more attractive option(12:35) Why not go to law school?(15:07) Advice if you lean toward pursuing law school(15:11) Choosing law school to avoid making career decisions is a common mistake(16:18) Most people shouldn't leave promising work for law school without a clear plan(17:00) Entering law school with a theory of change in mind can help(17:44) Keep building your subject-matter knowledge(18:09) Keep an eye out for new opportunities --- 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 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: April 11th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/law-school/2-why-go-to-law-school

This article outlines some promising career paths after law school, focusing on government and policy work. It also explains the difference between practicing law versus shaping policy. ---Outline:(00:27) Summary(01:23) A framing note: Practicing law vs. shaping policy(02:57) Roles practicing law(06:31) Roles outside the practice of law --- 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 3 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: October 29th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/law-school/3-career-paths

Not all law degrees are created equal—some JDs advance your professional development more than others. This article gives advice on where to apply, considering different career paths and program options. ---Outline:(00:26) Summary(01:27) How much to prioritize rankings?(02:42) Considerations by career path(02:46) Practicing law(05:04) Policy(07:40) Legal academia(07:52) Schools to consider(08:09) Conventional top 14 law schools(08:41) Two more law schools to consider in DC(09:34) Where to find more data(10:00) Special program types(10:04) Part-time programs(10:48) Accelerated programs(12:14) Dual- and joint-degree programs(13:45) LL.M. programs(14:35) S.JD and PhD programs --- 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 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: January 5th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/law-school/4-where-to-apply

The most expensive law schools charge nearly $70,000 per year in tuition. This article provides advice on how to fund your law degree, such as through scholarships, federal financial aid, and loans. ---Outline:(01:08) Institutional scholarships(02:14) Federal financial aid(02:47) Loans and loan forgiveness programs(05:52) Application fee waivers(06:21) Do a master's or PhD instead of a law degree --- 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. --- Last updated: November 13th, 2023 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/law-school/6-cost-and-funding

This article discusses the motivation for working “on the Hill”—direct impact, professional development, and exploration—and how you can assess your personal fit for congressional work. ---Outline:(00:12) About this guide(01:57) Why (not) work in Congress?(02:24) Opportunities for meaningful policy change(07:05) Acquiring policy knowledge, skills, and connections(10:31) Assessing your fit for Congress(17:16) Considerations for working in Congress --- 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 8 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: January 13th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/congress/1-why-work-in-congress

This article explains how to think about whether to work in the House or the Senate, in a personal office or a committee, and for the majority or minority party. It also discusses office culture and political affiliations. ---Outline:(01:16) House versus Senate(05:14) Committee versus personal office(09:14) Majority versus minority party(11:45) Office culture(13:26) A note on partisanship and political affiliation --- 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 9 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: March 27th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/congress/2-where-to-work-in-congress

This article discusses how to identify the offices and committees working on your policy areas of interest, particularly those in emerging technology and security policy. ---Outline:(00:57) Which committees have jurisdiction over your issue?(05:38) The power of the purse: Authorization versus appropriation(11:13) Analyzing committee jurisdiction(12:53) Committees relevant to AI(14:20) Committees relevant to bio(15:52) A note of caution(16:36) Which members have an interest in your issue? --- 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 10 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: January 15th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/congress/3-office-and-committee-relevance ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

This article explains the different roles available in Congress, provides networking advice, and explains how to search and apply for jobs. ---Outline:(00:28) Explore what job(s) you can get(00:41) Relatively loose credential, citizenship, and security clearance requirements(03:19) The congressional office org chart(05:24) Congressional opportunities at different levels of experience(05:30) Internships for current undergraduate or graduate students(06:01) Full-time roles(06:46) Congressional fellowships(07:05) Networking and reaching out to people(07:35) Tapping your network and doing informational interviews(09:28) Initial conversations with people adjacent to Congress(11:19) Conversations with current staffers(15:15) Whatever you do, don't be shy(18:08) Search and apply for jobs(18:20) Selecting which offices to apply to(22:37) Finding job openings(23:04) Internships(24:16) Full-time staff roles(25:39) Fellowships(25:50) Succeeding in the application process --- 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 3 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: January 5th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/congress/4-how-to-apply ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.