Where to start
The work is very wide-ranging and includes many organisations in the public and private sectors which are attempting to make an impact on public policy.
Public policy can be defined as: “What governments at all levels choose to do and choose not to do.”
Typically, organisations and individuals in this sector fall into one of the following categories:
- The government’s elected officials: MPs, MEPs or political parties
- The government machinery- the Civil Service in the UK is covered in the Public Sector page, while policy roles for international organisations are covered on that page
- Public policy think tanks
- Charities, interest groups and pressure groups
- Public affairs consultancies
- Consultancies in socio-economic/political/security risk
- For early careers researchers, there’s a potential to continue with relevant research in both social research and science policy
Find out more about careers in public policy in this video.
There’s a range of roles available- and of course, commonly valued transferrable skills like time management and the ability to work independently are important here too. But specific to policy work, is an interest in political systems & current affairs- that goes beyond a purely academic curiosity.
Communication skills will centre on the ability to communicate complicated ideas- often succinctly and to a variety of audiences; some roles will involve persuasion, perhaps drawing on data. You should be well organised with strong attention to detail, and comfortable with complexity and compromise.
Internships are not necessarily common in this field- although you will find some advertised at www.w4mp.org.
Depending on the subject matter, experience on-the-ground can make you a more attractive and effective candidate for competitive policy jobs. Look for work experience in a wide variety of job functions, not just research and policy analysis. Be willing to help with whatever is needed - it could be volunteering, fundraising, or organising events.
Get involved with the things you care about while you’re a student. A committee position in any society or SU position – may involve devising policy, negotiating with colleagues and communicating with members- all useful areas to gain competence.
If volunteering is available to you, consider volunteering for a policy, communications or campaigns department of a charity or as a trustee.
It is unusual to need a specific qualification, although for some specialist areas a Master's degree can be valuable.
Additional courses on social media analytics or on qualitative or quantitative research methods may make you a stronger candidate for relevant positions. For political risk careers, additional languages may be an asset.
Follow the Twitter and Instagram accounts of the organisations you are interested in. Internship and permanent opportunities are usually advertised there rather than via jobs websites.
There are short courses that will help you understand field conditions and keep yourself safe in the field, where necessary. This will help you understand some of the challenges that can arise in field work and consider how you might prepare for, mitigate and respond to risks in order to deliver on your mission. Some examples are:
IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies)
Be ready to give evidence of your active engagement with their topic or theme. Understand and be able to talk about the context in which the organisation operates (financial, legal/regulatory, social) and any constraints it faces.
Show commitment through your extra-curricular activities.
There’s a wealth of student societies, including politically oriented ones. Polygeia (for Global Health) and the Wilberforce Society are student think tanks. The Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE) and Centre for Science and Policy (CsaP) are engaged with using research to improve policy.
Our annual Policy, Charity and International Development Festival runs in Lent Term each year. You can catch up with previous festivals on our YouTube channel
Current vacancies and potential employers can be found via Handshake
Contact Cambridge alumni who have worked in this sector
Be proactive – not all organisations have large HR departments to advertise vacancies, so look for the people or teams which match your interests and skills. If you think you are a credible candidate and have the background they typically look for, a speculative application might work.
Public sector graduate schemes can provide a good foundation for policy work. See our blog to read about Nathan's experience at Unlocked and how that led to a strategic role in the Department for Education. We have a directory of public sector graduate schemes which could give you other options to explore
Now you have looked at this page, think about your next steps. Everyone's journey is different. There are many ways to move forward. Here are some actions you could take now:
- Look for roles using the resources above.
- Talk to alumni working in this field via Handshake or LinkedIn.
- Talk to a Careers Consultant - book a 1:1 appointment through Handshake.
- Attend events - watch for relevant events.
- Ready to apply? Use the CV and cover letter guide to draft a CV or an application. CareerSet is a tool you can use to review your CV and cover letter. Write a speculative application.
- Subscribe to the Government, Politics & Public Sector Careers Newsletter