Public Policy
Social workers in public policy can work in local, state, or federal government and in the non-profit and private sectors, for example:
- Social service agencies
- Public policy “think tanks”
- Advocacy organizations
- Research Organizations
- Foundations
- Legislative bodies such as committees, offices of elected officials (TIP: “:Hot Spots”: are state capitals and states with progressive social welfare policies)
Social workers in public policy should possess excellent written and verbal communications skills. In addition, most policy positions require:
- Knowledge of and exposure to the legislative process
- Problem solving and analytical skills
- Political savvy, ability to think on your feet, and tenacity
- Computer skills
- Ability to connect the past (history) with the present
- Research/quantitative skills
Social workers can gain valuable experience in public policy by:
- Volunteering or completing a field assignment in public policy organizations
- Joining and being active in an organization such as NASW or Bertha Capen Reynolds Society
- Working as a legislative aide
- Reading (newspapers) voraciously and asking the right questions of the right people
- Speaking with clients from all walks of life (they’ve been there and done that)
In addition to utilizing traditional job search techniques to prepare for a career in public policy, social workers should also:
- Be up-to-date on policy issues
- Have a working knowledge of the legislative process on both the federal and state level
- Network extensively with those already established in the profession
- Complete a post-graduate degree training program such as: Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs, Presidential Management Intern Program, or the Social Work Congressional Fellows Program
- Work first in direct services in your area of interest (TIP: Nothing like doing it to know how to do it!)
- Study the history of social welfare policy in depth; read the works of social work pioneers (TIP: never stop learning!)
- Find mentors and absorb all you can
- Search for employment via state agency web pages, legislature web pages, state federal government web pages.