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.
Think tanks, which include research centers and policy institutes, are organizations that conduct research to support the creation and evolution of public policy.
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.
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.
Explore internship and full-time opportunities at various Think Tanks and Research Institutes. This article provides some initial considerations for students who are thinking about interning with a Think Tank. Below are direct links to various Think Tanks and Research Institutes:
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.
Equity, negotiation, counter-offers, wage gaps, cost-of-living … the list goes on! Considering the breadth of topics and frequently asked questions that fall within the “salaries” category, it seems like it’s always a good time to discuss compensation.
And here at …
Second Day, a nonprofit focused on helping people find social impact jobs has created over 20 career guides in a variety of topics. Go to secondday.org to view all of the guides. Below is a sampling of their career guides. …
Those of us who are drawn to social-impact careers care deeply about the causes our work supports. At the same time, like everyone else, we have bills to pay.
So what do we do when there’s a gap between what …