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Policy Analysts

Exploring This Job

If you’re interested in a particular social or political issue, try to learn as much as you can about it. For example, if you’re interested in protecting the environment, check out the Web sites of well-known environmental think tanks—such as the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, World Resources Institute, Worldwatch Institute, Resources for the Future, and Earthwatch Institute—and government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of the Interior.

Talk to your high school teachers and college professors about opportunities in public policy. An information interview with a policy analyst can provide a good overview of the career. If you’re in college, consider becoming a student member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM). Student membership benefits include a subscription to the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, reduced registration rates for all APPAM activities, and access to networking events. Finally, visit PublicServiceCareers.org to learn more about education requirements and potential career paths in public service and public policy.