Government, Politics & Think Tanks: Basic Definitions

Government
Jobs in Government are organized by grade, which is a pay classification. When looking for a job in Government you want to look for those jobs labeled GS5 or GS7, these are jobs that usually require a bachelor's degree with less than 3 years of work experience.

Requirements of jobs vary, because each job is so different. Some jobs may require a certain major or course work, though the majority do not. Skills that are highly valued in the government include: analytical skills, research background, creative thinking and problem solving abilities and writing and communications experience. Being able to prove you have these skills through internship or other work experience is crucial.

Politics
Working in the field of politics, whether it be for a campaign or on the hill requires sacrifices. Most internships do not pay and full time entry-level jobs are often low paying compared to other fields. However many internships are flexible and allow part time work so that you can secure another part time job. Also consider fellowships to financially supplement your work experience; start by visiting International Education and Fellowship Programs. There are no set requirements for an internship or job in politics, however writing and administrative skills are among those most often cited as being particularly important in this career field.

Think Tanks
The job responsibilities can be very varied, but usually focus on research. An entry-level job or internship in this field will most likely have you working in a team of researchers with either quantitative or qualitative data. This could also include some independent work organizing data gathered by colleagues. Job responsibilities and day-to-day work varies greatly depending on the size of the organization and what their political or social affiliations are. Skills that are greatly valued in this field are experience with collecting and organizing data, research and teamwork. Like in all other fields, internship experience will greatly help you market yourself after graduation.