Extracurriculars for a Career in Public Policy
Policy analysts research issues and recommend how governments should address them. Debate, Model UN, and civics programs help high schoolers build research and argument skills.
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Programs for a Career in Public Policy
Why it fits: Program's Politics track directly prepares students for policy analysis through seminars and collaborative projects on global challenges.
Why it fits: Debate hones critical analysis of complex issues and evidence-based argumentation for policy work.
Why it fits: Simulated Senate work directly mirrors policy analysis, bill drafting, and legislative evaluation.
Why it fits: Students engage directly with federal government leaders and learn how policy is developed and implemented across all three branches.
Why it fits: Program builds critical thinking and research methods through exploration of philosophy, history, and cultural studies topics.
Why it fits: Students engage with policymakers at the D.C. summit to discuss social issues and nonprofit roles in addressing community needs.
Why it fits: Participants research global issues and draft resolutions, mirroring policy analysis and development.
Why it fits: Political science focus with simulations and workshops develops analysis skills for policy work.
Why it fits: Education on social issues like poverty and housing insecurity prepares students for housing policy research and advocacy.
Why it fits: Participants examine real-world issues and their broader implications, developing the critical analysis skills essential to policy work.
Why it fits: Students analyze foundational principles and modern challenges, core to policy research and recommendation writing.
Why it fits: Direct exposure to the legislative process and inner workings of the U.S. Senate builds understanding of policy development and government operations.
Why it fits: Internships with government agencies provide direct exposure to public service and policy work.
Why it fits: Research opportunities include public policy and climate/energy policy domains with data-driven approaches.
Why it fits: Students research and analyze economic policy issues affecting markets and industries.
Why it fits: Students engage in issue advocacy and civic engagement activities directly relevant to policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Students advocate for progressive issues and participate in electoral processes, core to policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Students engage with social-impact causes and advocacy work, building understanding of community needs and solutions.
Why it fits: Students organize locally and nationally to influence political agendas and policy outcomes through grassroots campaigns.
Why it fits: Students engage in grassroots activism and political advocacy on women's rights and social justice issues.
Why it fits: Students research human rights issues and develop advocacy campaigns directly aligned with policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Students research and take action on policy issues like the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive health rights.
Why it fits: The Voter Catalyst Network program directly involves mobilizing voters and engaging in civic advocacy for systemic change.
Why it fits: Students develop into knowledgeable environmental stewards equipped to inform ocean-related policy decisions.
Why it fits: Competition fosters awareness of local community issues and encourages data-driven solutions to real problems.
Why it fits: Researching cases and constructing evidence-based arguments develops skills for analyzing and advocating policy positions.
Why it fits: The activity builds broad knowledge of history, current events, science, and culture—essential for analyzing and informing public policy.
Why it fits: Deep historical knowledge informs policy analysis by understanding precedent and long-term consequences.
Why it fits: Analyzing and writing about philosophical principles builds the policy analysis and research skills required.
Why it fits: Students engage with policy questions across economics, public policy, and international relations through structured argumentation.
Why it fits: Analyzing philosophical principles and writing persuasive essays mirrors policy research and advocacy.
Why it fits: Essay contest on political philosophy and capitalism principles develops policy research and argumentation skills.
Why it fits: Requires logical, evidence-based analysis of complex societal topics like misinformation and media literacy.
Why it fits: The program emphasizes solving country's biggest problems through leadership, preparing students for policy-focused careers.
Why it fits: Historical research and analysis of past events builds foundational skills for understanding and evaluating policy implications.
Why it fits: Students develop analytic skills to examine economic principles underlying policy decisions.
Why it fits: Courses in political science, philosophy, and history develop analytical and critical thinking skills essential for policy work.
Why it fits: Study of classical political philosophy and rhetoric informs contemporary policy analysis and governance.
Why it fits: Students research issues, develop legislative proposals, and present arguments to influence policy decisions.
Why it fits: Leadership development and civic engagement focus prepares students for policy research and government analysis roles.
Why it fits: Exposure to DA's reform and fairness initiatives develops understanding of criminal justice policy.
Why it fits: Students participate in Operation Smile's policy and advocacy work shaping government healthcare approaches.
Why it fits: Program addresses educational equity and social mobility for first-generation and low-income students through structured college preparation.
Why it fits: Students run a mock government, learning how political processes and policy decisions are made at state level.
Why it fits: Public Policy and Global Studies courses develop research and argumentation skills for policy work.
Why it fits: Program analyzes complex social issues and brainstorms solutions to advance civic engagement and social change.
Why it fits: Students examine policy affecting Latino communities and visit Congress and government agencies directly.
Why it fits: Congress legislation events teach policy research, analysis, and advocacy skills core to policy work.
Why it fits: Model Congress requires analyzing political issues and crafting policy positions.
Why it fits: Students engage in civic advocacy campaigns and connect volunteering to policy issues affecting their communities.
Why it fits: Participants engage in advocacy efforts to expand naloxone access and influence public health policy at the federal level.
Why it fits: Frontline volunteer work with homeless populations informs understanding of housing policy and social services.
Why it fits: Engaging with disaster preparedness, climate action, and education equity exposes students to systemic community issues.
Why it fits: Data collected by volunteers is actively used to support environmental legislation and advocate for waterway health.
Why it fits: Experience organizing community campaigns that address systemic issues like food insecurity and homelessness.
Why it fits: Scholars engage in strategic planning and advocacy work to drive systemic change across sectors.
Why it fits: Scholarship emphasizes political science and leadership development relevant to policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Competitive debate requires research, analysis, and articulation of policy positions.
Why it fits: Students research topics, construct policy arguments, and defend positions through structured debate.
Why it fits: Deep exploration of the Constitution and civic engagement builds foundation for policy research and analysis.
Why it fits: Students directly engage in the policymaking process, developing and debating policy proposals for national campaigns.
Why it fits: Competitive debate trains students to research issues, construct evidence-based arguments, and advocate for positions.
Why it fits: Students construct evidence-based arguments on historical and contemporary questions, mirroring policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Students debate space policy issues and develop solutions to global space challenges, directly mirroring policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Challenge emphasizes responsible AI use and technology's role in society, relevant to policy development.
Why it fits: Students directly analyze legislative bills and write policy memos examining environmental policy at local, state, or federal levels.
Why it fits: Participants design and present local prevention campaigns, applying research-based strategies to community issues and social change.
Why it fits: Leadership summit develops critical thinking and advocacy skills essential for analyzing and influencing policy.
Why it fits: Students read political philosophy texts, discuss big ideas, and develop civic engagement projects addressing social issues.
Why it fits: Travel and study abroad experiences develop informed perspective on international policy issues.
Why it fits: Students learn to advocate for policy changes and understand legislative threats affecting LGBTQ+ communities.
Why it fits: Panel discussions and workshops focus on youth empowerment, climate action, and sustainable development policy.
Why it fits: ELP builds advocacy and strategic planning skills through environmental and social change leadership development.
Why it fits: Directly aligns with the program's focus on public policy dialogue and informed policy-making.
Why it fits: Competition requires deep research and analysis of public policy topics, mirroring core policy analyst responsibilities.
Why it fits: Policy debate format directly trains students in analyzing complex policy questions and constructing evidence-based arguments.
Why it fits: Students research and debate complex policy topics including economics and international relations at a competitive level.
Why it fits: Students research and debate real-world public policy issues, directly mirroring the analytical work of policy professionals.
Why it fits: Students research local civic issues, file public records requests, and analyze community and government topics.
Why it fits: Analytical thinking and advocacy training build skills for policy research and argumentation.
Why it fits: Public health law curriculum and analysis of policy interventions expose students to health policy analysis work.
Why it fits: Students engage in civic processes and governance through simulated legislative and executive experience.
Why it fits: Students examine pressing legal issues and how America's legal institutions change with evolving values and perspectives.
Why it fits: Students engage directly with policy think tanks and learn advocacy pathways for creating systemic change through public policy.
Why it fits: Students learn systems thinking and engage with policymakers to address global challenges through evidence-based advocacy.
Why it fits: Fellows engage in civic education, debates on democratic citizenship, and analysis of governance through site visits and simulations.
Why it fits: AmeriCorps experience provides on-the-ground perspective for analyzing community needs and policy impact.
Why it fits: Program teaches students to analyze complex problems and connect economic reasoning to informed civic decision-making.
Why it fits: Requires deep research and analysis of Foreign Service topics with proper academic sourcing and citation.
Why it fits: Essay competition covers policy-relevant topics like surveillance, social movements, and mental health stigma analysis.
Why it fits: Essays address AI's societal impact, workforce displacement, and governance—key policy analysis concerns.
Why it fits: Students discuss relevant issues facing African Diasporic communities, developing analytical skills for policy work.
Why it fits: The seminar develops strategic thinking and understanding of military/government operations through immersive campus experience.
Why it fits: Workshops on social justice and critical thinking prepare students to analyze and influence policy issues.
Why it fits: TASS explores how power and privilege shape social structures through humanities and social sciences seminars.
Why it fits: Policy debate requires researching, constructing arguments, and defending positions on substantive government policy topics.
Why it fits: Policy and Congressional debate events directly train students in policy research, analysis, and legislative reasoning.
Why it fits: Students create theatrical works that examine and confront gun violence policy issues at a community level.
Why it fits: Parliamentary and congressional debate formats require analyzing political issues and developing evidence-based policy positions.
Why it fits: Research and analysis of contemporary anthropological issues develops skills applicable to evidence-based policy work.
Why it fits: Students investigate light pollution's community and environmental impacts to drive awareness and positive change.
Why it fits: Engages with policy aspects of AI security verification and claims validation mechanisms.
Why it fits: Students engage with SDG advocacy and represent sustainability voices in international forums and policy discussions.
Why it fits: Program develops principled leadership and strategic thinking for addressing global peace and conflict resolution.
Why it fits: Working in legal environments develops research methods and critical thinking skills essential for policy analysis and reform work.
Why it fits: Students complete policy memos and comprehensive written analyses on complex topics like AI ethics in public systems.