Careers in Public Policy

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in public policy? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user USDAgov

Public policy is a disciplined approach to analyzing and solving current issues involving many people, as well as how policy decisions are made. Many jobs in public policy can be divided into a few major areas: government, business, consulting, law, and the nonprofit sector.

Most jobs involving public policy require a bachelor’s degree, which can be in public policy or in another field of interest. More important are your writing, reading, and critical thinking skills, as well as turning theory into experience via internships or research.

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Public Affairs Director Franklin County Columbus, OH	View
Public Service Director City of Hilliard, OH Hilliard, OH	View
Public Service Director City of Hilliard Ohio Hilliard, OH	View
Director of Public Relations National Church Residences Senior Living Communities Columbus, OH	View
Director, Public Library Management Services OCLC Dublin, OH	View
Director, US State Affairs Johnson & Johnson Westerville, OH	View
Communication Center Operator (Full-time, Day, Riverside) OhioHealth Columbus, OH	View
Wrongful Conviction Project Director Ohio Public Defender Commission Columbus, OH	View
Controller United Way of Central Ohio Columbus, OH	View
Wrongful Conviction Project Director State of Ohio Columbus, OH	View

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Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Public Policy

The Institute for Humane Studies - The IHS is an Arlington, VA based organization that “advances a freer society by discovering and facilitating the development of people who share an interest in liberty.”

See the complete The Institute for Humane Studies profile

Juvenile Law Center - Juvenile Law Center is a Philly based org that “plays a leadership role in shaping and using the law on behalf of children in the child welfare and justice systems."

See the complete Juvenile Law Center profile

Generation Citizen - Generation Citizen is a Boston, MA based non-profit that “teaches teenagers direct political action through an innovative in-class curriculum.”

See the complete Generation Citizen profile

Small Business Majority - Small Business Majority is a San Francisco, CA based “national small business organization" that focuses "on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today.”

See the complete Small Business Majority profile

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - LISC is an NYC based non-profit that connects "local organizations and community leaders with resources to revitalize neighborhoods and improve quality of life.”

See the complete Local Initiatives Support Corporation profile

Justice Policy Institute - Justice Policy Institute is a D.C. non-profit that aims to "reframe the conversation around justice for all."

See the complete Justice Policy Institute profile

FWD.us - FWD.us is a San Francisco, CA based lobbying organization that promotes "policies to keep the United States and its citizens competitive in a global economy."

See the complete FWD.us profile

Stitcher - Stitcher is a San Francisco, CA based company that lets you access “over 20,000+ radio shows and podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, Android or PC–anytime, anywhere.”

See the complete Stitcher profile

Targeted Victory - Targeted Victory is an Alexandria, VA based agency that has “anchored digital campaigns on the local, state, and presidential level.”

See the complete Targeted Victory profile

Bipartisan Policy Center - The Bipartisan Policy Center is a Washington, DC based non-profit that encourages the two parties to work together on important issues.

See the complete Bipartisan Policy Center profile

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a DC based non-profit that “conducts research and analysis to help shape public debates over proposed budget and tax policies."

See the complete Center on Budget and Policy Priorities profile

National Alliance to End Homelessness - The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a Washington, DC based non-profit that, as its name indicates, is working to end homelessness.

See the complete National Alliance to End Homelessness profile

The National Center on Time & Learning - The National Center on Time & Learning is a Boston, MA non-profit that “is dedicated to expanding learning time to improve student achievement."

See the complete The National Center on Time & Learning profile

Natural Resources Defense Council - NRDC is an NYC based non-profit that wants to "safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends."

See the complete Natural Resources Defense Council profile

Landesa - Landesa is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that “works to secure land rights for the world’s poorest people."

See the complete Landesa profile

American Council of Young Political Leaders - American Council of Young Political Leaders is a DC non-profit that introduces "rising political and policy professionals to international affairs and to each other.”

See the complete American Council of Young Political Leaders profile

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.”

See the complete Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership profile

Americas Society/Council of the Americas - Americas Society and Council of the Americas are two New York, NY based non-profits in one that aim to improve relations across the Americas.

See the complete Americas Society/Council of the Americas profile

International Council on Clean Transportation - International Council on Clean Transportation is a Washington, DC based org that aims “to improve the energy efficiency of road, marine, and air transportation."

See the complete International Council on Clean Transportation profile

Institute for Educational Leadership - The Institute for Educational Leadership is a Washington, DC based non-profit that does research, leadership development, and policy work in the area of education.

See the complete Institute for Educational Leadership profile

Center for Clean Air Policy - The Center for Clean Air Policy is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is “a recognized world leader in climate and air quality policy."

See the complete Center for Clean Air Policy profile

Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to “protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America."

See the complete Defenders of Wildlife profile

Marine Conservation Institute - Marine Conservation Institute is a Seattle, WA non-profit that uses the latest science to identify and advocate for important marine ecosystems around the world.

See the complete Marine Conservation Institute profile

Group of Fifty - The Group of Fifty is a DC based non-profit made up of select “business leaders who head some of the most significant and forward-looking enterprises in Latin America."

See the complete Group of Fifty profile

The Trust for Public Land - The Trust for Public Land is a San Francisco, CA based org that was “founded in 1972 with goals of protecting land in and around cities and pioneering."

See the complete The Trust for Public Land profile

Parent Revolution - Parent Revolution is a Los Angeles, CA based non-profit that is aiming to “transform public education based on what is good for children, not adults."

See the complete Parent Revolution profile

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - Rails-to-Trails is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is aiming “to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines."

See the complete Rails-to-Trails Conservancy profile

National Academy for State Health Policy - The National Academy for State Health Policy is a non-profit that helps “states achieve excellence in health policy and practice” by working with each other.

See the complete National Academy for State Health Policy profile

City Hall Fellows - City Hall Fellows is a San Francisco, CA based non-profit that engages “diverse, talented young people in the work of cities.”

See the complete City Hall Fellows profile

Better Government Association - The Better Government Association, a Chicago, IL based non-profit that “works for integrity, transparency, and accountability in government."

See the complete Better Government Association profile

Inter-American Dialogue - Inter-American Dialogue is a DC based "leading U.S. center for policy analysis, exchange, and communication on issues in Western Hemisphere affairs.”

See the complete Inter-American Dialogue profile

National Immigration Forum - The National Immigration Forum is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that “advocates for the value of immigrants and immigration to our nation.”

See the complete National Immigration Forum profile

Smart Growth America - Smart Growth America is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that believes “smart growth solutions support thriving businesses and jobs."

See the complete Smart Growth America profile

Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress - The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress is a DC based nonpartisan non-profit "that systematically examines past successes and failures of the Presidency."

See the complete Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress profile

NORC at the University of Chicago - NORC at the University of Chicago is a non-profit organization that aims to “to conduct high-quality social science research in the public interest.”

See the complete NORC at the University of Chicago profile

Fantasy Politics - Fantasy Politics is based in Boston, MA and offers “a fun opportunity for you to build a team of national politicians and pundits and get points from their real life actions.”

See the complete Fantasy Politics profile

Public Knowledge - Public Knowledge is a Washington, DC based non-profit that “preserves the openness of the Internet and the public’s access to knowledge."

See the complete Public Knowledge profile

Center for The National Interest - The Center for The National Interest is based in Washington, DC and was originally founded by former President Nixon as the Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom

See the complete Center for The National Interest profile

The Can Kicks Back - The Can Kicks Back is a DC based non-profit that is organizing millennials to push for financial reform and debt reduction.

See the complete The Can Kicks Back profile

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress - The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress is a Washington, DC based non-profit that puts former members of Congress to work on important causes.

See the complete U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress profile

ONE - ONE is a Washington, DC based “grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease."

See the complete ONE profile

InterAction - InterAction, is a Washington, DC based non-profit that “seeks to shape important policy decisions on relief and long term development issues."

See the complete InterAction profile

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation - If you love the sporting life and its intersection with politics, you should consider a job with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in Washington, DC.

See the complete Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation profile

International Food Policy Research Institute - International Food Policy Research Institute is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to end hunger and poverty, and they're hiring.

See the complete International Food Policy Research Institute profile

50CAN - Great Schools Can Change Everything. That's what 50CAN believes, and that's why they're hiring people to help them advocate for education reform.

See the complete 50CAN profile

Constitutional Rights Foundation - Constitutional Rights Foundation is an LA based non-profit that helps educate youth about civic participation and democracy, and they're hiring.

See the complete Constitutional Rights Foundation profile

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation - The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation works with NOAA to protect and support the U.S. national marine sanctuaries, and they're hiring.

See the complete National Marine Sanctuary Foundation profile

League of Conservation Voters - The League of Conservation Voters is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that “works to turn environmental values into national priorities.”

See the complete League of Conservation Voters profile

Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization dedicated to stopping drunk driving and saving lives, and they're hiring.

See the complete Mothers Against Drunk Driving profile

Council of State Governments - Council of State Governments is a non-profit organizations that brings state governments together to learn from each other, and they're hiring.

See the complete Council of State Governments profile

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Careers in Public Policy

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Public Policy

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