Job Description

Policy Analyst

When I thought about what career fields to explore, I knew I wanted to pursue a path where I could impact and uplift others. My mentor introduced me to the Public Policy Institute of Guam at the Guam Legislature. Before this, I had no experience in government or politics. Even though I am a business administration major, I decided to give it a try. Little did I know that it would become one of my favorite internship experiences.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a policy analyst raises public awareness of social issues. They conduct research and use their findings to propose solutions to these problems. This role carries high stakes, as it influences decisions made by legislative leaders, government agencies, and especially, the public. However, the thrill of making a meaningful impact makes the job worthwhile.

As a policy analyst, three key characteristics define this role:

• Independence
• Adaptability
• Communication

 

Independence

As a policy analyst, independence is essential for carrying out your responsibilities. From the beginning of my internship, my supervisor gave me the freedom to choose any project topic. He also expected that I draft a new bill and propose a solution by the end of the internship. While it seemed daunting at first, I knew I wanted to work on mental health initiatives right from the start.

This marked the beginning of countless hours of independent research. Although I could ask my supervisor for guidance, I needed to do most of the research to become an expert on the topic. This also involved field research, including interviewing bureaucratic leaders, psychologists, and community members.

Adaptability

Adaptability is important in a fast-paced environment like politics. On top of working on my policy project, I handled other legislative tasks, such as managing the front desk, scribing at meetings, and conducting research for other policies as needed. Each day was unpredictable. For example, one moment I’ll be working on my project, and the next, I’ll be writing a speech for a senator to present at a regional conference and then preparing to testify on a plastic bag ban. Although days could be chaotic, they were interesting and enjoyable in their own way.

Additionally, adaptability was crucial for my project as well. Throughout my internship, I never knew what my final proposal was going to be since each new piece of research created more areas to explore. All it took was a single piece of information to change the whole trajectory of the project.

Communication

Lastly, communication was important to succeed in this internship. It was a fundamental part of the role since I interacted with legislative leaders and engaged with patrons daily. Each day felt like a communications test, given the work and responsibilities assigned to me.

Despite spending weeks on extensive research, the success of the project depended on presenting the information in a clear and compelling manner. If I could not communicate properly, my hard work would be in vain. Catering to people’s ethos, pathos, and logos would be the most effective way to have your bill and solution approved and implemented.


Passive Sentences: 0
Flesch Reading Ease: 49.1
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 9