Policy Career Guides

Policy fellowships—term-limited positions in congressional offices, often sponsored by nonprofits—allow you to build first-hand experience in Congress and benefit from training, mentoring, networking, and more.

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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.

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This guide outlines full-time roles in Congress and how to find job openings, including information on (1) entry-level jobs for recent graduates, (2) jobs for terminal degree holders or mid-career professionals, and (3) senior and non-legislative jobs.

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Outline:

(00:36) Entry-level jobs for recent graduates

(03:07) Jobs for terminal degree holders or mid-career professionals

(04:52) Full-time legislative staff roles

(08:38) Congressional fellowships

(08:56) More senior and non-legislative jobs

(11:04) Finding job openings

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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.

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Most congressional staff are former interns, as are many Members of Congress. This article explains what congressional internships involve and how to decide where to apply.

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Outline:

(00:14) About this guide

(01:47) How do congressional internships work, and why should I apply for one?

(02:21) How do congressional internships work?

(04:22) What do congressional interns do?

(05:15) What are alternatives to congressional internships?

(06:35) Why apply for a congressional internship?

(07:00) How to decide where to apply?

(07:43) Should I intern in a personal office or with a congressional committee?

(08:31) Should I intern in the Senate or House?

(09:28) How can I learn whether the office has a good environment?

(11:48) How important are personal ties to an office's constituency?

(12:57) Should I only apply to offices of my political affiliation?

(13:48) How much should a Member's issue areas or committee matter?

(15:31) Should I apply for a summer or semester internship?

(16:56) Does the internship pay its interns?

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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.

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This article explains how to learn about congressional internship opportunities, the application process, and important application advice.

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Outline:

(01:06) Timeline

(01:41) How to learn about internship opportunities

(03:48) How to prepare for the first round of the application process

(05:12) Writing a good cover letter

(06:50) Drafting a good resume

(08:21) How to prepare for the second round of the application process

(10:19) Case study

(13:10) Recommended resources

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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 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration.

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This article explains how to learn about congressional internship opportunities, the application process, and important application advice.

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Outline:

(00:09) Congress

(00:24) Working in Congress: why and how

(01:00) 1. Why (not) work in Congress?

(01:18) 2. Where to work in Congress?

(01:35) 3. How to assess office and committee relevance?

(01:52) 4. How to apply for and land a job in Congress?

(02:07) Guides to roles in Congress by experience level

(02:17) Internships in Congress

(02:38) Congressional fellowships

(03:01) Full-time roles in Congress

(03:22) Committees relevant to emerging tech policy

(03:48) Committees relevant to AI policy

(03:53) Committees relevant to bio policy

(03:57) Recommended resources

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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 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration.

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More than a hundred think tanks in DC aim to inform and influence policymaking through a combination of research and writing, convening stakeholders, and advocacy.

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Outline:

(00:09) Think tanks

(00:24) Working at a DC think tank: why and how

(00:41) 1. Why (not) work at a think tank?

(00:59) 2. Think tank types & activities

(01:16) 3. Think tank roles & personal fit

(01:34) 4. Getting a think tank job

(01:51) Think tank fellowships

(02:31) Early- or mid career full-time fellowships

(05:36) Recent PhD or law school graduates

(05:55) Early- or mid-career non-resident fellowships (often part-time / unpaid but helpful for network- and skill-building)

(06:32) Internships

(06:41) Mid-career visiting fellowships

(06:53) Opportunities for people from underrepresented backgrounds

(07:10) Think tanks working on emerging tech policy

(07:49) Recommended resources

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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.

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More than a hundred think tanks in DC aim to inform and influence policymaking through a combination of research and writing, convening stakeholders, and advocacy.

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Outline:

(03:42) Think tank functions and activities

(04:20) Research

(05:20) Outreach and advocacy

(07:12) Convening and education

(08:55) The conglomerate question: Think tanks versus programs

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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.

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Think tanks have a variety of jobs beyond pure research roles (e.g. communications, operations). This article explains the main job categories at think tanks and how to determine your personal fit.

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Outline:

(00:56) Assessing your fit for think tank life

(04:10) Types of teams and jobs at think tanks

(06:13) Research

(09:07) External affairs

(10:49) Internal

(12:53) Consider think tank jobs, not think tank careers

(15:32) Non-resident or adjunct fellow roles

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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.

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States serve as "laboratories of democracy," shaping policies that affect millions while often setting precedents for federal action. This guide explains how US state governments work and advises on when and how to pursue state level roles.

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Outline:

(01:26) Overview of state governments

(03:26) Relationship between federal and state policy

(05:35) Brief profiles on Texas and California

(15:17) Why (not) work for state government

(16:12) Opportunities for state-level impact

(18:32) Opportunities for national impact

(20:35) Professional development

(23:10) Personal fit considerations

(25:26) Where and how to work in state policy?

(25:51) Legislature

(27:00) Personal staff

(31:35) Committee staff

(34:43) Researching legislative offices and committees

(35:18) Executive branch

(35:58) Governor's office

(38:28) State-level departments and agencies

(41:50) Researching executive offices

(43:46) Think tanks, nonprofits, and other external groups

(43:51) Think tanks

(44:42) Nonprofits, associations, and advocacy groups

(47:23) Researching nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

(49:11) Choosing which state to work in

(51:32) Internships and jobs in state government

(51:37) Internships & fellowships

(55:48) Jobs

(01:00:25) Further resources

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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.

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This guide helps you research and pursue federal agency roles that match your policy interests and career goals. It walks you through a practical four-stage process: brainstorming options, conducting targeted research, networking through informational interviews, and creating an action plan.

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Outline:

(00:51) Step 1: Brainstorm options

(07:03) Step 2: Research specific agencies and offices

(08:45) People

(11:17) Workstreams

(12:57) Resources, mandate, and limitations

(16:56) Step 3: Conduct informational interviews

(23:48) Step 4: Make an action plan

(27:12) Further resources

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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.

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Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.