Government & Public Policy
Roles in government can be broken down into the sectors of federal, state, and local. Government and public policy professionals work toward improving the lives of U.S. citizens and residents by providing services, maintaining order, protecting rights and freedoms, and developing policies that address public needs.
There are three tiers of government: federal, state, and local. Each tier deals with issues pertaining to the citizens and matters under their jurisdictions. Jobs in the federal government address national, overarching issues including protecting the environment, national defense, national tax policy, international affairs, and more. State government jobs address similar matters at the state level. Local government encompasses city, county, town, and regional issues. Each level of government offers unique challenges and rewards.
Public policy is a dynamic field in which policies are researched, analyzed, and developed to inform government decision-making.In this field, there are both public and private organizations. Some private-sector organizations, including think tanks, employ people to research and develop policy recommendations related to public issues and government priorities. Public-sector policy work is conducted within government agencies, while policy-related work is also performed by nonprofit organizations that operate independently of government. To advance in the field of policy research, an advanced degree (such as a master's degree or Ph.D.) may be beneficial.
Skills to develop for success in this field
- Leadership competencies
- Multitasking, time management, and prioritization skills
- Research and development skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Basic statistical analysis
- Community engagement and campaign experience
- Foreign language fluency
Online resources specific to the industry
- Vault* is a comprehensive resource for information on what it is like to work within an industry, company or profession. *Note: Registration using Northwestern email address is required for access.
- Federal Resume Writing Guide: There are specific guidelines to writing a resume for federal government positions. Find more information about these types of resumes here.
Job posting and other career informational sites relevant to the field:
Key information or knowledge for this field
- Application materials. You may be asked to provide more than just a cover letter and resume. Be prepared to write essay responses and/or provide writing samples or letters of reference. You will also want to allow for time to complete the applications as they can be lengthier and more involved.
- Ensure you meet the minimum requirements. Government jobs specifically require candidates to meet at least the minimum requirements listed for that particular role.
- Security clearance. Government jobs may require a specific level of security clearance. Keep this in mind and allow for plenty of time when applying to job opportunities.
- Long wait times to hear back. Government jobs may receive hundreds or thousands of applications and therefore it may take a significant amount of time to hear back for full-time opportunities.
- Networking and who you know. Due to the high volume of applications, it is very helpful to have a connection to the agency or organization where you are applying to work. The Northwestern alumni network is vast and there are fellow Wildcats who may already be working there. It is highly recommended to search through LinkedIn, Our Northwestern, and reach out to NCA advisers. To learn more about networking, please visit the NCA Networking webpage & Networking Resources
Relevant student groups and professional organizations
Northwestern University Departments
External Professional Organizations