3 answers
Andres
Student
Pembroke Pines, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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What is it like to be a Public Policy analyst?
Hi, I am considering going back to graduate school to get an MPA concentrating in Public Policy, however my connections are limited and I'm not sure who I can talk to other than internet about this issue. #graduate-school #politics #social-work
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3 answers
Ross Smith
Research specialist and editor
10
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Ross’s Answer
Hello Andres.
The basic job skill for a public policy analyst is finding accurate information on a topic and working it up in the format that is most useful to your end client (an elected official, the general public, members of a professional organization, the board of a non-profit, etc.) This is true whether you are drafting legislation, doing issues work for a political campaign, gathering background for a PSA, doing a Powerpoint presentation for a city council meeting, responding to a press inquiry, or writing an extended white paper or journal article on an issue.
So my first piece of advice is to hone your research skills. Remember that what you find online on any given topic is only 1/10th to 1/100th the amount of information that is out there. Your job as public policy analyst will be to find who has the information you need - often on short notice - then 1) get them to share it with you and 2) vet the information's accuracy and usefulness for addressing the issue at hand and the credibility of the source. Strong research skills will carry you through any form of public policy work that suits you.
Regardless of your field, there are two routes available: generalist and specialist. I was a public policy analyst for a state attorney general's office. We covered every potential legal issue a state could face - rights-of-way, consumer protection, criminal law enforcement, utility rate setting, environmental enforcement, you name it. As a policy generalist, I knew enough about each division's work that if management threw a topic at me, I could research it and turn out a 1-2 page briefing memo in short order. I did get to work on larger projects - editing legal manuals and such - but mostly it was quick, fast work. Every public agency has staff who can do this kind of work.
The other option is to specialize, to hone in on the deep details of a small subset of your field, say, becoming an expert on nontraditional funding mechanisms for social service agencies. At my agency, the lawyers were the specialists, and I often reached out to them for help with specific issues that came up. The downside is that the more specialized you get, the more you limit your options for employment to a handful of places that need your particular skill set. The upside is that you can truly become an expert in your field, and that's when you can have a big impact on policy matters.
I second the comments above about getting involved in political campaigns, public advocacy campaigns, and so on. They are a valuable training ground and way to expand your network.
Since you tagged social work in your question, I also encourage you to spend as much time as you can attending at public agency meetings or viewing them online (city council hearings, county health board meetings, social service agency conferences, etc.) where issues related to social work are being actively debated:
* the most cost-effective ways to provide health services to homeless people;
* funding for crisis hotlines,
* how to run activity centers for seniors and at-risk youth in the Covid-19 era.
If you think you want to specialize in a particular area, or just want to explore different avenues to take, look online for professional associations related to it (e.g. Clinical Social Work Association). They all have websites. Read everything they have posted, such as legislative agendas, white papers and so on. Find out the schedule for their upcoming conferences and how to watch the sessions online.
If you have follow-up questions, feel free to jot me a line.
The basic job skill for a public policy analyst is finding accurate information on a topic and working it up in the format that is most useful to your end client (an elected official, the general public, members of a professional organization, the board of a non-profit, etc.) This is true whether you are drafting legislation, doing issues work for a political campaign, gathering background for a PSA, doing a Powerpoint presentation for a city council meeting, responding to a press inquiry, or writing an extended white paper or journal article on an issue.
So my first piece of advice is to hone your research skills. Remember that what you find online on any given topic is only 1/10th to 1/100th the amount of information that is out there. Your job as public policy analyst will be to find who has the information you need - often on short notice - then 1) get them to share it with you and 2) vet the information's accuracy and usefulness for addressing the issue at hand and the credibility of the source. Strong research skills will carry you through any form of public policy work that suits you.
Regardless of your field, there are two routes available: generalist and specialist. I was a public policy analyst for a state attorney general's office. We covered every potential legal issue a state could face - rights-of-way, consumer protection, criminal law enforcement, utility rate setting, environmental enforcement, you name it. As a policy generalist, I knew enough about each division's work that if management threw a topic at me, I could research it and turn out a 1-2 page briefing memo in short order. I did get to work on larger projects - editing legal manuals and such - but mostly it was quick, fast work. Every public agency has staff who can do this kind of work.
The other option is to specialize, to hone in on the deep details of a small subset of your field, say, becoming an expert on nontraditional funding mechanisms for social service agencies. At my agency, the lawyers were the specialists, and I often reached out to them for help with specific issues that came up. The downside is that the more specialized you get, the more you limit your options for employment to a handful of places that need your particular skill set. The upside is that you can truly become an expert in your field, and that's when you can have a big impact on policy matters.
I second the comments above about getting involved in political campaigns, public advocacy campaigns, and so on. They are a valuable training ground and way to expand your network.
Since you tagged social work in your question, I also encourage you to spend as much time as you can attending at public agency meetings or viewing them online (city council hearings, county health board meetings, social service agency conferences, etc.) where issues related to social work are being actively debated:
* the most cost-effective ways to provide health services to homeless people;
* funding for crisis hotlines,
* how to run activity centers for seniors and at-risk youth in the Covid-19 era.
If you think you want to specialize in a particular area, or just want to explore different avenues to take, look online for professional associations related to it (e.g. Clinical Social Work Association). They all have websites. Read everything they have posted, such as legislative agendas, white papers and so on. Find out the schedule for their upcoming conferences and how to watch the sessions online.
If you have follow-up questions, feel free to jot me a line.
Carson McGill
Kids Assistant Manager
12
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Carson’s Answer
This is such a great question. It's always important to consider different paths after graduation, before attempting to complete a degree, especially in a field that is more difficult to break into. So I have a masters in legal studies and have some experience with Public Policy. I don't believe there is a direct path after graduation in many fields within this area of study, but I would encourage you to find a non-profit that you're passionate about. I would also say it would be best if it was also one that is more social justice. Whether you're a liberal or conservative, there are opportunities on both sides of the aisle to really be involved in non-profit work that has a focus on policy and moving their organization forward. I would also encourage you to volunteer for local campaigns and that can be a foot in the door and a great way to grow your network as well to really move up within public policy. When I worked for local campaigns, I was able to help focus the message and also provide language to really set an agenda for the campaign, which is a great way to get experience drafting legislation, canvasing, and more. I hope this helps and if you have any additional questions, please let me know. All the best!
Hi Carson, thank you for responding!
A couple more questions came to mind as I read your thoughtful response that maybe you can also help me out in. First is what are the type of settings other than a politicians staff or a non-profit that a policy analyst can work in? Also, what exactly is the nature of the work. From what I'm imagining its creating reports on policies that X politician wants to push or X government wants to implement but I'm really not sure.
Thanks again for your response!
Andres
Hey Andres! I appreciate you reading my response and diving deeper into this career path. So a few things to help clarify your questions, first there are a few options outside of non-profits or a political staff you can look into. First, similar to a campaign, but more directly involved with writing is an aid or legislative staff member either for federal offices, or local government offices. These jobs can be as aids, interns, or possibly policy reviewers, which can be more directly involved with helping draft specific policies and legislation. I would also say a different avenue could be a foundation. There are tons of foundations that involve themselves in policy to help promote their main focus and goal, or goals.
Carson McGill
With working for foundations, you could draw up legislation and help promote the mission. That is, however IF the foundation is politically involved or has a need for legislation or public policies. The second question you asked is in regards to the kind of work that is expected from this position and honestly, it depends on what sector you go into that'll determine what the type of work you do could consist of.
Carson McGill
I laid out the answers to the first question that highlights the types of work that would be expected in those area's, so I hope that helps answer your second question as well. In a sense yes, no matter what field you're in the nature of the job will be to make sure and promote and help achieve the goal of the foundation, company, politician, non-profit, or whatever field you decide to pursue.
Carson McGill
Shaun-Dae Clark
Analyst
1
Answer
Washington, Washington
Updated
Shaun-Dae’s Answer
Hi Andres -- A few years ago I was considering the same, and just last week I completed my first year in a Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. One really great thing about MPP and MPA degrees is that they are interdisciplinary. There are so many things you can do , and so many ways to apply your learning to whatever career path you choose. Policy analysts come with a range of job descriptions -- some focus more on advocacy and lobbying, while others strictly do policy analysis and research, or help draft policy and work directly for policy makers. Beginning a program is probably the best way to figure out where you fit in, including what kind of work is most exciting and what types of organizations are most fitting. I got a couple of years of work experience before entering my program, working first on a policy team at a national nonprofit, and later at a mission oriented for-profit doing more programmatic work. But I think getting some experience is also important to making the decision to enter a program. Good luck!