Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: US Policy Career Resources, published by US Policy Careers on June 7, 2023 on The Effective Altruism Forum.

Background

This post contains a collection of resources for aspiring policy professionals in the US, including articles, books, newsletters, podcasts, and more. It focuses on resources most relevant to people seeking to work in US federal-level technology or security policy, such as AI policy or biosecurity policy.

The post is split into two parts: the first consists of career-specific resources, providing both strategic advice on high-level career decisions and tactical advice on applying for particular opportunities. The second consists of topic-specific resources to help readers learn about particular policy areas relating to emerging technology and security policy, including AI policy, biosecurity policy, and nuclear security policy.

This collection consists of resources that different DC professionals have recommended. It does not aim to be comprehensive, and we haven’t vetted all these resources individually. The collection is also a work-in-progress, and we appreciate any feedback (e.g., resources we missed, better ways to structure this post) via this form or in the comments.

I. Career-specific policy resources

General US policy career resources

US Policy Careers account on the EA Forum

Government and policy in an area relevant to a top problem, 80,000 Hours

Advice for Undergraduates Interested in US Policy

Takeaways on US Policy Careers (Part 1): Paths to Impact and Personal Fit

Takeaways on US Policy Careers (Part 2): Career Advice

Books:

The Great Courses: Understanding the US Government (Audible) (2020)

Hack Your Bureaucracy: Get Things Done No Matter What Your Role on Any Team (2022)

Podcasts:

Transition Lab, Partnership for Public Service

Stories from the Backchannel, Center for a New American Security

Other policy resource lists

GoGovernment Resources, Partnership for Public Service

Resources Overview, Network on Emerging Threats

Resources, United States of Technology

Relevant EA Forum tags: US policy, Policy, Career choice, Job profile, Governance of artificial intelligence

Policy work opportunities

Policy job boards

USAJobs.gov, the government’s job board for federal agencies (see USAJobs guide)

Employment Bulletins for the House, Senate, and Senate Internships

Resume Banks for the House and Senate

Paid:

Traverse Jobs, focus on Congress and advocacy

Tom Manatos Jobs, focus on DC policy (e.g., Congress, federal agencies)

Daybook, focus on political, policy, and non-profit jobs

List of progressive job boards

80,000 Hours Job Board, includes some policy jobs and internships

EA Opportunity Board, includes some policy internships

Early-Career Opportunities in Governance and Policy

Policy internships

Consider "Semester in DC" Programs, if You're a US Student Interested in Policy

Congressional Internships: Why and How to Apply

Virtual Student Federal Service: remote government internships for US students

Think tank internships section from Working at a (DC) policy think tank

USAjobs.gov internships for students and recent graduates (see also list here and USAjobs guide here)

Policy fellowships

Database of EA-relevant US policy fellowships (+ these databases)

Horizon Fellowship (previously Open Philanthropy Technology Policy Fellowship)

TechCongress Fellowship

Presidential Management Fellowship (+ PMF application tips)

STPI Science Policy Fellowship

Scoville Fellowship

Policy graduate school

US policy master’s degrees:

Why and When? (Part 1)

Top Programs, Applications, & Funding (Part 2)

US policy master’s database

Law school:

Why and When? (Part 1)

Admissions and Financial Advice (Part 2)

PhD:

How To PhD

How to apply for a PhD

Career review: Economics PhD, 80,000 Hours

Policy institutions

Legislative branch (Congress)

Working in Congress (Part 1): Bac...