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. The Civil Service itself is covered in the Public Sector A-Z page.
Public policy can be defined as: “The process by which governments translate their political vision into programmes and actions to deliver desired changes in the real world”. It can also 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:
- MPs, MEPs or political parties
- Public policy think tanks
- Charities, interest groups and pressure groups
- Public affairs consultancies
- Consultancies in socio-economic/political/security risk
Find out more about careers in public policy.
You need to be actively engaged in policy topics, not just as an academic interest. Pick a topic or two and try to understand them over a long period of time, and from different angles.
You should be well organised with strong attention to detail, and comfortable with complexity and compromise. Get involved with public policy on a volunteer/casual basis and assess whether it's something you would enjoy as a full-time career.
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.
Depending on the subject matter, experience on-the-ground can make you a more attractive and effective candidate for the very competitive policy jobs.
Learn to write for a variety of audiences in a concise and engaging manner.
Get involved with the things you care about while you’re a student. Don’t leave it all until the job search stage, since employers will need evidence of your commitment to the cause.
It is unusual to need a specific qualification beyond your study at Cambridge, 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 political risk careers, additional languages may be required.
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.
- A wealth of student societies, including politically oriented ones.
- The Cambridge Hub for placements, volunteering opportunities and events.
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.
Use Alumni Careers Connect to see the career paths of Cambridge graduates into this field.
Get up to date with what’s happening in the think-tank world.
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.
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