Policy & Think Tanks

Think Tanks and Careers in Public Policy

Think tanks, which include research centers and policy institutes, are organizations that conduct research to support the creation and evolution of public policy.

Areas of Research

Think tanks may focus on one particular issue or a combination of them. Areas of research include social policy, political strategy, economics, and industrial/business policy. Financial support for these organizations comes from several sources, including government entities, advocacy organizations, and private businesses.

Considerations

Students interested in policy research should consider issues of interest, level of direct activism by the think tank, the organization’s relationship with the government, and the student’s role within the organization. An entry-level professional in this field will most likely conduct supportive qualitative or quantitative research for a larger group initiative within the think tank. Research experience at Yale, particularly independent research projects, and an extensive knowledge base regarding specific public issues can make an applicant more marketable for research positions.

Public Service: Engaging Responsibly

For those interested in public service work, whether that be through structured internship programs, post-graduate employment, community service, or volunteer work, it’s important to think about what responsible engagement looks like.

Review this page on Planning Public Service Projects to learn more about what responsible engagement looks like and how you can develop a plan that aligns well for you and the community you are hoping to serve.

Yale Club of Ohio Fellowship ($4,000) Deadline is April 2nd

For Yale College students interested in a nonprofit summer internship in Ohio or who are from Ohio please see below:

Yale Club of Dayton’s Ohio Summer Funded Internship – 2 summer awards for $4,000 each to a First Year, Sophomore,  …

By Robyn Acampora
Robyn Acampora Director of Strategic Initiatives and Public Service Careers
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Endeavor Global – Application deadline extended for Summer 2024 Internships

Are you looking for life-changing summer experience with a global nonprofit based in NYC?

Following the remarkable success of last year’s intern cohort from Yale College, Endeavor is excited to announce their internships for the 2024 summer season. Dive into …

By Kelly McSergi
Kelly McSergi Assistant Director of Employer Relations
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Think Tank & Government Opportunities at upcoming virtual Fair – Sign up on March 15th

There are internship and full-time opportunities with the:

Meet with these employers through the Ivy+ Just in Time Virtual Career Fair coming up on Thursday, April 11. Employers will be eager to meet you as they share information about currently …

By Robyn Acampora
Robyn Acampora Director of Strategic Initiatives and Public Service Careers
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Job Search Resources

How to Navigate Federal Careers: Understanding USAJOBS, Security Clearances & More, presented by the Partnership for Public Service
Mastering the Federal Resume: Your Key to Government Career Success, presented by the Partnership for Public Service

The Office of Career Strategy collects information about Yale College graduates. This is a great resource tool that allows users …

In an effort to support students pursuing careers in the nonprofit, government and the arts sectors, those interviewing for national …

Explore Job Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Search continually updated U.S. market trends to learn about job types (job functions), growth trends, and desired skills. The results will include general information about each job (functional area), employment trends from the past two years and projections for the next 10 years, employers that have that role, desired education level, skills for the position, and more!

TWO WAYS TO SEARCH:

  1. Find Career Data by Selecting Keywords: Enter keywords of various job titles and choose a state or search nationwide to learn more about that job.
  2. Filter by Industry and Occupation: Search by industry and choose among popular occupations/job titles within that industry.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

YC Career Outcomes

The Office of Career Strategy collects information about Yale College graduates. This tool allows users to search outcomes by year and major. Please visit Statistics & Reports for more information on detailed reports.

Helpful Tips for the Interactive Tool:

  • There is no Enter or Submit Button  Results will appear automatically with your selections
  • Choose ‘All Years’ or ‘All Majors’- For results across years and majors, or check one for more granular results.
  • The tool will return results with at least five responses – For small majors, choosing ‘All Years’ is more likely to show results
  • Default results will show the most recent Class Year.
  • Uncheck the selected major(s) to reset your search.
  • To ensure confidentiality, results are reported in the aggregate and more granular data is not available through this tool.
  • First Destination Summaries are based on the knowledge rate of graduate outcomes six months after graduation according to National Association of Colleges and Employers guidelines.
  • If you require additional information contact the Office of Career Strategy

Most Recent Class Overview

Knowledge Rate Success Rate Mean Starting Salary Top Five Industries
90.3% of those graduating between July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 94.0% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation $89,622 among graduates employed full-time in the United States Education, Financial Services, Technology, Consulting, and Healthcare

 

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Employment Industry and Function
  • Size of the Organization
  • Starting Salary
  • Time of Year Offer Received
  • Internships, Research, and Study Abroad Experiences
  • First Destination Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Advanced Degrees Pursued

First Destination

First Destination refers to the postgraduate plans of Yale College graduates six months after graduation. The pursuits of Yale graduates include employment, graduate school, independent research, military service, and more.

CONTACT & LOCATION

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