Career Information:  Public Policy

• Nature of Work
• Education & Training
• Employment Opportunities
• Resources - Who Can Help?

Nature of Work

Industry Information

• The Brookings Institution:  An independent, nonpartisan think tank devoted to research, analysis, and public education with an emphasis on economics, foreign policy, governance, and metropolitan policy.
• RAND Corporation:  A nonprofit research organization that addresses the challenges facing the public and private sectors around the world including national security, business, education, health, law, and science.
• Urban Institute:  A nonpartisan economic and social policy research organization.
• Economic Policy Institute:  A nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy.

Alumni Stories

• Changing the World, One Policy at a Time, Jennifer Kates '88
• A Daughter of Dartmouth, Victoria Smith '78
• Scott Cameron Speaks for the Trees, Scott Cameron '77
• The Making of Citizen Thomas Callahan, Thomas Callahan '84

Education & Training

Professional Associations

• Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
• American Society for Public Administration
• Public Administration Professional Associations

Graduate Program Information

• National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration:  NASPAA is the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy, and public affairs.
• Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management:  Links to school websites and advice for students considering educational options in public policy.
• Poly-Cy:  Listing of programs in political science and public affairs.

Dartmouth Academic Departments

• The Rockefeller Center-A Catalyst for Public Policy Research and Education:  Public Policy Minor

Resources at Other Colleges

• Notre Dame Public Policy and Think Tank Opportunities:  Links to a wide assortment of public policy organizations & think tanks.
• University of Michigan's Political Science Resources Think Tanks:  Comprehensive listing of links to think tanks.
• Columbia University Lehman Social Sciences Library:  Think Tanks & Policy Centers

Employment Opportunities

Sample Employers

• Employer Links from Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas:  Comprehensive listing of private, non-profit, government, and international organizations.

Job or Internship Listings

• Opportunities in Public Affairs:  Public affairs job openings in the Washington, DC area.  Printed list available in Career Services.
• International Jobs Center:  Subscription site listing international jobs and internships; limited, free weekly job listings.
• Guide to Careers in Child and Family Policy:  Information on careers, internships, fellowships, volunteer positions, and jobs in child and family policy as well as general public policy.
• Policy Jobs:  Policy Jobs is a job advertising website specialising in public policy jobs: covering research, policy making, and academic jobs in many fields including: foreign policy, economics, social policy, family policy, legal affairs and fiscal policy.
• Young Professionals in Foreign Policy:  A nonpartisan membership organization committed to fostering the next generation of America's foreign policy leadership.

Resources - Who Can Help?

Departments at Dartmouth College

• The Rockefeller Center-A Catalyst for Public Policy Research and Education:  Internship funding, student organizations.
• The Dickey Center for International Understanding:  Internship and post-grad opportunities, and student organizations.

Handout

• So You Want To Work in Public Policy (78K PDF)

Public Policy Bibliography:  A Sampling of Books in the Resource Library

• 100 Jobs in Social Change:  Explores skills, experiences, and jobs to introduce you to the various opportunities available in the area of social change.  Provides information on corporate and nonprofit careers including job descriptions, typical salary levels, and necessary qualifications and characteristics employees should possess in this line of work.
• Insider's Guide to Finding a Job in Washington:  Contacts and Strategies to Build Your Career in Public Policy:  Information on policy positions in the federal government, associations, think tanks, labor unions and the media.  Tips on how to locate internships and landing your first job.
• Opportunities in Public Affairs:  A comprehensive source of public affairs job and internship vacancies published biweekly.  Includes 300+ current jobs and internships in public relations, government affairs, legislation, print & broadcast journalism on Capitol Hill, in non-profits, corporations, and Federal Agencies in the Washington, DC area.
• Post-Graduate Public Policy Internship notebook:  Listing of post-grad internship opportunities.
• Washington Job Source:  A great overall Washington, DC review!  This book lists information on careers in education, government, healthcare, public interest, non-profit, law & lobbying, and more.  Also includes Federal agencies, Capitol Hill Congressional Offices, professional advice on DC job search strategies, internship information, job hotlines, maps and more!

NOTE:  Italicized titles can be borrowed and are located in the Baker Library Project Room in the Reserve Corridor.  Click here for a complete list of borrowable books.

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