Today, it seems like just about anybody can become an "influencer" simply by starting a social media account and generating a following. But to truly influence things that really matter—such as laws and regulations that shape how we live, work, and otherwise function each day—takes something more. If that's the kind of influencer you want to become, a career in public policy is the choice for you.
Simply put, public policy is defined as a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, funding priorities, and other principles upon which society is based. In recent years, the call for meaningful change in public policy—particularly around healthcare, law enforcement, racial and gender equity, education, and other areas—has grown louder.
Why Choose a Public Policy Career?
By pursuing a career in public policy, you can make a more direct impact on these changes and improve people's lives in the process. But those aren't the only reasons why a public policy career is a smart choice.
Public policy career paths are versatile
Because public policy has become more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, every industry has policy-related jobs. That said, most public policy-related jobs will fall in one of four categories:
- Government. Whether at the local, state, or federal level, public policy jobs are plentiful in government, including Public Policy/Budget Analysts, Program Developers/Managers, and PR/Communication positions.
- Politics. Legislators are the most visible public policy influencers, but they have plenty of help behind the scenes from Campaign Managers, Legislative Analysts, PR Managers, Communications Directors, and others.
- Nonprofit. These organizations often have the most direct and regular interaction with those impacted by public policy. Nonprofit employees may engage in advocacy work, conduct policy research, serve on a government relations team, or even lead/found a nonprofit organization.
- Private Sector. Private businesses of all types often have employees serving in roles related to government relations, communications, community affairs, and regulatory affairs.
Public policy can meaningfully impact the future
At its core, public policy is intended to respond to societal issues or problems that need attention. By helping develop and enact effective public policy, organizations and governments can improve their ability to consistently serve the needs of those within their sphere of influence for years to come.
Public policy is a path to leadership
The skills required to be successful in public policy mirror the skills of leaders in nearly any industry. By strengthening these skills and heightening your expertise, you can become a respected, sought-after leader in whatever field you ultimately choose to enter. Want to learn more about how to get into public policy? Explore the flexible, online certificate in public policy program at Michigan Tech. It's only 9 credits and you can complete it on your own time. Find out more.
"The best public policy is made when you are listening to people who are going to be impacted."
What Skills Do Public Policy Jobs Require?
Although public policy career paths vary widely, each one requires a similar combination of skills to be effective.
Communication
If you work in public policy, you can expect to maintain constant communication with many types of people. This includes written communications (like emails, briefing notes, reports, and proposals) and spoken communications (from formal presentations to informal Q&A sessions). These communications are crucial to developing, analyzing, approving, implementing, and evaluating public policy solutions.
Research and Attention to Detail
Research is a key component to identifying public policy problems, developing feasible solutions, and helping make your proposals and arguments more persuasive. You will hone your expertise in searching several different types of sources to find the information you need to make your case—these include cost-benefit and cost effectiveness analysis, risk assessment, and more. The more you research, the more you can develop a keen eye for detail.
Strategy and Critical Thinking
As you conduct your research and analyze the data, you'll need to think strategically and critically to apply that information and make your proposed solutions as effective, equitable, and adequate as possible. By bringing together learned techniques, theories, frameworks, research methods, and analysis, you can successfully effect change in all levels of government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Public Policy?
As mentioned above, there are many potential public policy career paths to choose from. Here's a comparison of some of the top jobs for public policy degree holders, organized by the four categories we mentioned earlier and based on recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Figures from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dated May 2023.
Public Policy Salary And Job Outlook: Government
Urban and Regional Planners
- Typical entry-level education: Master's degree
- Mean annual salary: $85,940
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 4%, as fast as average
Budget Analysts
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree
- Mean annual salary: $90,880
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 3%, as fast as average
Public Policy Salary And Job Outlook: Politics
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree
- Mean annual salary: $159,420
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 6%, faster than average
Political Scientists
- Typical entry-level education: Master's degree
- Mean annual salary: $132,020
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 7%, faster than average
Public Policy Salary And Job Outlook: Nonprofit
Medical and Health Services Managers
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree or higher
- Mean annual salary: $134,440
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 28%, much faster than average
Social and Community Service Managers
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree or higher
- Mean annual salary: $83,400
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 9%, much faster than average
Public Policy Salary And Job Outlook: Private Sector
Public Relations Specialists
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Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree or higher
- Mean annual salary: $77,720
- Projected job increase (through 2032): 6%, faster than average
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
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Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree or higher
- Mean annual salary: $152,620
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Projected job increase (through 2032): 6%, faster than average
Where Do Public Policy Graduates Work?
As we've seen again and again, public policy can take your career in any number of directions. Now that we've looked at specific jobs with a public policy degree, let's take a broader look at some of the top industries that attract those interested in public policy.
Federal, State, or Local Government
It shouldn't come as a surprise that public policy analysts often work in a government setting. Many times, these positions are tied to a specific segment of public policy, such as housing or economic development.
Nonprofit Sector
There are many non-government organizations that employ public policy specialists to help advance their particular causes through lobbying, awareness campaigns, and other means. These organizations are usually not-for-profit entities.
Research and Consultation
Government and social service organizations often turn to researchers to conduct surveys and studies to better understand how the public feels about certain issues. Gathering this data helps these organizations develop impactful policies.
Academia
Colleges, universities, and other schools often seek out public policy professionals to help fill administrative positions on campus, thanks to their ability to collaborate and cooperate with diverse groups.
Get Started On Your Public Policy Career
Earn Your Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from Michigan Tech
In just three courses, the public policy certificate at Michigan Tech helps you develop relevant public policy skills and deepen your policy analysis expertise. Our flexible, 100% online format allows you to complete your coursework on your own time with no prior public policy experience required. The program is only 9 credits and can be completed in just one term (3 hours per credit per week). Visit our website to learn more about (and apply to) our graduate-level Public Policy Certificate.
Learn from professors with real world experience in public policy creation and research.
Teaching Statement
Dr. Wellstead previously worked as a social scientist for the Canadian federal government, focusing policy efforts on climate change, forest management, and other environmental matters. Areas of expertise include policy capacity, policy design, policy process frameworks, and innovation labs.
Ready to take the next step toward your public policy career?