Policy Career Guides

NNSA maintains and secures the US nuclear weapons stockpile, works to prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism, powers the US Navy through nuclear propulsion, and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies domestically and abroad.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(01:22) Background on NNSA

(02:40) Organizational structure

(04:28) NNSA and AI policy

(06:08) Recent AI developments at NNSA

(08:56) NNSA components working on AI policy

(09:15) Working at NNSA

(09:18) Full-time roles

(10:45) Internships and fellowships

(12:08) Further reading

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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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Passing a background check and receiving clearance is among the biggest barriers to federal employment. This can make holding an active clearance (or being eligible for one) one of the most valuable assets for advancing your federal career.

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Outline:

(01:12) Levels of background checks and security clearances

(04:23) What's the process for getting a security clearance?

(07:55) What roles do you need a security clearance for?

(08:34) What can disqualify you (and how to mitigate it)

(23:32) Security clearance tips

(26:08) FAQ

(26:25) 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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Passing a background check and receiving clearance is among the biggest barriers to federal employment. This can make holding an active clearance (or being eligible for one) one of the most valuable assets for advancing your federal career.

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Outline:

(01:13) Levels of background checks and security clearances

(04:24) What's the process for getting a security clearance?

(07:56) What roles do you need a security clearance for?

(08:36) What can disqualify you (and how to mitigate it)

(23:37) Security clearance tips

(26:13) FAQ

(26:30) 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 17 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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This profile focuses on the civilian activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) under the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and how they relate to AI and biosecurity.

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Outline:

(00:10) Introduction

(02:33) OSD and AI policy

(05:52) AI-relevant offices within OSD

(06:12) OSD and biosecurity policy

(08:24) Biosecurity-relevant offices within OSD

(08:44) Further reading

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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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BIS is the lead agency tasked with administering and enforcing export controls on dual-use items and technology. BIS has become increasingly central to the US government’s AI and biosecurity policy efforts.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(01:49) Background on BIS

(03:27) History and activities

(06:51) Organizational structure

(07:48) BIS and AI policy

(09:42) Major AI-related developments at BIS

(12:18) BIS offices working on AI policy

(12:36) BIS and biosecurity policy

(14:35) Major biosecurity-related developments at BIS

(16:40) BIS offices working on biosecurity policy

(16:59) Working at BIS

(18:12) Further reading

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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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Learn how to publish short, policy-relevant pieces in public outlets—including how to choose your topic, article type, and outlet. Publishing articles can help you shape policy debates, build your credentials and reputation, and strengthen your public engagement skills.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(00:40) Why publish in policy outlets?

(02:14) An alternative: Starting your own platform

(03:37) A note of caution

(04:55) Types of articles and policy outlets

(05:10) Types of articles

(06:54) Types of outlets

(07:21) Choosing an outlet

(10:10) What should you write about?

(11:06) Writing about your expertise/research

(12:00) Writing about what's in the news

(12:33) Writing about an outlet's specialization

(13:06) Co-authoring

(14:01) How to write a policy article

(16:01) How to pitch your article

(16:17) Timeline

(17:04) Finding the right editor (and their email)

(18:09) Writing the pitch

(18:59) What to do after your piece is accepted

(20:18) Career opportunities

(21:44) Further reading

(21:50) Appendix: List of outlets

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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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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the nation's cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience.

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Outline:

(00:12) Overview

(01:33) Background on CISA

(03:00) Organizational structure

(05:19) CISA and AI policy

(06:21) Recent AI-related developments at CISA

(08:44) CISA offices working on AI policy

(09:02) Working at CISA

(11:06) Further reading

(11:11) Experience reports

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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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Learn how to create and adapt your personal “pitch” in policy settings, from happy hours to informational interviews. Your pitch tells your professional story—your background, motivations, and interests—and is a key part of effective networking.

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Outline:

(00:33) Why do you need a pitch?

(01:35) Crafting your pitch

(03:21) Example pitches

(06:23) Tips for your pitch

(10:29) Preparing for follow-up questions:

(11:08) Adapting your pitch by audience and context

(17:15) Practicing your pitch

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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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Learn how to create and adapt your personal “pitch” in policy settings, from happy hours to informational interviews. Your pitch tells your professional story—your background, motivations, and interests—and is a key part of effective networking.

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Outline:

(00:33) Why do you need a pitch?

(01:34) Crafting your pitch

(03:20) Example pitches

(06:22) Tips for your pitch

(10:40) Preparing for follow-up questions:

(11:18) Adapting your pitch by audience and context

(17:26) Practicing your pitch

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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 3 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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Last updated:

Source:

Learn how to publish short, policy-relevant pieces in public outlets—including how to choose your topic, article type, and outlet. Publishing articles can help you shape policy debates, build your credentials and reputation, and strengthen your public engagement skills.

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Outline:

(00:10) Overview

(00:39) Why publish in policy outlets?

(02:43) Types of articles and policy outlets

(02:58) Types of articles

(04:42) Types of outlets

(05:08) Choosing an outlet

(07:57) What should you write about?

(08:55) Writing about your expertise/research

(09:48) Writing about what's in the news

(10:21) Writing about an outlet's specialization

(10:54) Co-authoring

(11:49) How to write a policy article

(13:48) How to pitch your article

(14:04) Timeline

(14:41) Finding the right editor (and their email)

(15:35) Writing the pitch

(16:24) What to do after your piece is accepted

(17:34) Further reading

(17:40) Appendix: List of outlets

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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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