Government Policy Maker Careers Information
Government policy makers, oftentimes a type of political scientist, use their knowledge of society and political systems to propose and implement changes to our legal systems that can have far ranging consequences for all citizens.
Government Policy Maker Careers & Degrees
Like sociologists, they are concerned with the big picture, how all the pieces of a society, its religious, governmental, social, and even criminal organizations,come together to create the world as we know it. Armed with this information, policy makers craft legislation or offer advice to those in power that is intended to make our society better for all its citizens.
Government policymakers cull their information from a variety of sources. They may study past governments and their policies in order to make stronger predictions about the future of society.
By continuing what has worked before and changing what has not, they hope to improve upon past successes and mistakes alike. Government policy makers also pour over statistical data that they or others have gathered.
Using these numbers, they try to piece together social habits and changes. Questions like, why are people moving from this area of the country to the other? Where are new jobs being created? Why is crime so low in this particular area, where we might expect it to be higher?
Like they do with historical data, policymakers use this information to decide what types of legal changes are the most needed and/or will be the most effective.
Government Policy Maker Careers Path
Though there is no specific path to becoming a government policy maker, most enter the field as sociologists or, more specifically, as political scientists. This means that a Bachelor’s degree (mainly in political science) is generally the minimum requirement, though advanced degrees will give a person a distinct advantage.
Because they deal with large amounts of data on the public, government policymakers would do well to take courses in statistics along with political science courses. Internships in government offices are also a good way for students to gain practical experience with the day-to-day workings of the government.
Government Policy Maker Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Highly analytical, good with numbers, excellent oral and written communicator, works well with others, good at seeing the big picture, able to see multiple sides to an issue, trustworthy, meticulous, able to work under stressful situations.
Government Policy Maker Careers: Salary Expectations
As a type of political scientist, government policymakers earn an average salary of $104,130 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $74,040 and $124,490.
Those with more experience may be able to work in higher positions of government or transfer to private industry think tanks, lobbying firms, or marketing agencies in order to make more money.
Government Policy Maker Careers: Job Outlook
The job outlook for government policymakers is generally good in the coming years. Competition for jobs in the highest levels will be high, but there will be many positions for those in lower levels of government service.
Private industry firms will also be keen to add policy makers to their ranks in order to increase their presence in the decisions of the government. Government policy makers who align themselves with a particular party need to be aware they may have a more difficult time finding a job matching their qualifications during periods when their party is out of power.
Those with the highest levels of education as well as those who have published research found to be useful in policy making should have the best chance of finding work.
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos314.htm
