Extracurriculars for a Career in Policy Analyst

Program's Politics track directly prepares students for policy analysis through seminars and collaborative projects on global challenges.

Debate hones critical analysis of complex issues and evidence-based argumentation for policy work.

Simulated Senate work directly mirrors policy analysis, bill drafting, and legislative evaluation.

Students engage directly with federal government leaders and learn how policy is developed and implemented across all three branches.

Program builds critical thinking and research methods through exploration of philosophy, history, and cultural studies topics.

Students engage with policymakers at the D.C. summit to discuss social issues and nonprofit roles in addressing community needs.

Participants research global issues and draft resolutions, mirroring policy analysis and development.

Political science focus with simulations and workshops develops analysis skills for policy work.

Education on social issues like poverty and housing insecurity prepares students for housing policy research and advocacy.

Participants examine real-world issues and their broader implications, developing the critical analysis skills essential to policy work.

Program teaches students to analyze complex problems and connect economic reasoning to informed civic decision-making.

Students analyze foundational principles and modern challenges, core to policy research and recommendation writing.

Direct exposure to the legislative process and inner workings of the U.S. Senate builds understanding of policy development and government operations.

Internships with government agencies provide direct exposure to public service and policy work.

Research opportunities include public policy and climate/energy policy domains with data-driven approaches.

Students research and analyze economic policy issues affecting markets and industries.

Students engage in issue advocacy and civic engagement activities directly relevant to policy analysis work.

Students advocate for progressive issues and participate in electoral processes, core to policy analysis work.

Students engage with social-impact causes and advocacy work, building understanding of community needs and solutions.

Students organize locally and nationally to influence political agendas and policy outcomes through grassroots campaigns.

Students engage in grassroots activism and political advocacy on women's rights and social justice issues.

Students research human rights issues and develop advocacy campaigns directly aligned with policy analysis work.

Students research and take action on policy issues like the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive health rights.

The Voter Catalyst Network program directly involves mobilizing voters and engaging in civic advocacy for systemic change.

Students develop into knowledgeable environmental stewards equipped to inform ocean-related policy decisions.

Competition fosters awareness of local community issues and encourages data-driven solutions to real problems.

Researching cases and constructing evidence-based arguments develops skills for analyzing and advocating policy positions.

The activity builds broad knowledge of history, current events, science, and culture—essential for analyzing and informing public policy.

Deep historical knowledge informs policy analysis by understanding precedent and long-term consequences.

Analyzing and writing about philosophical principles builds the policy analysis and research skills required.

Students engage with policy questions across economics, public policy, and international relations through structured argumentation.

Analyzing philosophical principles and writing persuasive essays mirrors policy research and advocacy.

Essay contest on political philosophy and capitalism principles develops policy research and argumentation skills.

Requires logical, evidence-based analysis of complex societal topics like misinformation and media literacy.

Requires deep research and analysis of Foreign Service topics with proper academic sourcing and citation.

The program emphasizes solving country's biggest problems through leadership, preparing students for policy-focused careers.

Historical research and analysis of past events builds foundational skills for understanding and evaluating policy implications.

Students develop analytic skills to examine economic principles underlying policy decisions.

Essay competition covers policy-relevant topics like surveillance, social movements, and mental health stigma analysis.

Essays address AI's societal impact, workforce displacement, and governance—key policy analysis concerns.

Courses in political science, philosophy, and history develop analytical and critical thinking skills essential for policy work.

Study of classical political philosophy and rhetoric informs contemporary policy analysis and governance.

Students research issues, develop legislative proposals, and present arguments to influence policy decisions.

Students discuss relevant issues facing African Diasporic communities, developing analytical skills for policy work.

The seminar develops strategic thinking and understanding of military/government operations through immersive campus experience.

Workshops on social justice and critical thinking prepare students to analyze and influence policy issues.

Leadership development and civic engagement focus prepares students for policy research and government analysis roles.

Exposure to DA's reform and fairness initiatives develops understanding of criminal justice policy.

Students participate in Operation Smile's policy and advocacy work shaping government healthcare approaches.

Program addresses educational equity and social mobility for first-generation and low-income students through structured college preparation.

Students run a mock government, learning how political processes and policy decisions are made at state level.

TASS explores how power and privilege shape social structures through humanities and social sciences seminars.

Public Policy and Global Studies courses develop research and argumentation skills for policy work.

Program analyzes complex social issues and brainstorms solutions to advance civic engagement and social change.

Students examine policy affecting Latino communities and visit Congress and government agencies directly.

Congress legislation events teach policy research, analysis, and advocacy skills core to policy work.

Policy debate requires researching, constructing arguments, and defending positions on substantive government policy topics.

Model Congress requires analyzing political issues and crafting policy positions.

Policy and Congressional debate events directly train students in policy research, analysis, and legislative reasoning.

Students engage in civic advocacy campaigns and connect volunteering to policy issues affecting their communities.

Participants engage in advocacy efforts to expand naloxone access and influence public health policy at the federal level.

Frontline volunteer work with homeless populations informs understanding of housing policy and social services.

Engaging with disaster preparedness, climate action, and education equity exposes students to systemic community issues.

Data collected by volunteers is actively used to support environmental legislation and advocate for waterway health.

Experience organizing community campaigns that address systemic issues like food insecurity and homelessness.

Scholars engage in strategic planning and advocacy work to drive systemic change across sectors.

Scholarship emphasizes political science and leadership development relevant to policy analysis work.

Students create theatrical works that examine and confront gun violence policy issues at a community level.

Competitive debate requires research, analysis, and articulation of policy positions.

Parliamentary and congressional debate formats require analyzing political issues and developing evidence-based policy positions.

Students research topics, construct policy arguments, and defend positions through structured debate.

Deep exploration of the Constitution and civic engagement builds foundation for policy research and analysis.

Students directly engage in the policymaking process, developing and debating policy proposals for national campaigns.

Competitive debate trains students to research issues, construct evidence-based arguments, and advocate for positions.

Students construct evidence-based arguments on historical and contemporary questions, mirroring policy analysis work.

Students debate space policy issues and develop solutions to global space challenges, directly mirroring policy analysis work.

Challenge emphasizes responsible AI use and technology's role in society, relevant to policy development.

Research and analysis of contemporary anthropological issues develops skills applicable to evidence-based policy work.

Students directly analyze legislative bills and write policy memos examining environmental policy at local, state, or federal levels.

Students investigate light pollution's community and environmental impacts to drive awareness and positive change.

Participants design and present local prevention campaigns, applying research-based strategies to community issues and social change.

Leadership summit develops critical thinking and advocacy skills essential for analyzing and influencing policy.

Students read political philosophy texts, discuss big ideas, and develop civic engagement projects addressing social issues.

Travel and study abroad experiences develop informed perspective on international policy issues.

Students learn to advocate for policy changes and understand legislative threats affecting LGBTQ+ communities.

Panel discussions and workshops focus on youth empowerment, climate action, and sustainable development policy.

ELP builds advocacy and strategic planning skills through environmental and social change leadership development.

Engages with policy aspects of AI security verification and claims validation mechanisms.

Directly aligns with the program's focus on public policy dialogue and informed policy-making.

Students engage with SDG advocacy and represent sustainability voices in international forums and policy discussions.

Program develops principled leadership and strategic thinking for addressing global peace and conflict resolution.