Policy, Law & Public Service – Pitt Career Central

Welcome to Pitt’s Policy, Law & Public Service Career Community! Students in this community will have an interest in analyzing information, criminal investigations, government regulations, and critical thinking. Career opportunities in this field include, but are not limited to, public administrators, analysts, lawyers, police officers, emergency managers, and criminal investigators. Students can work in a variety of sectors including government, legislation, activism, court systems, non-profits, NGOs, and law enforcement.

Schedule an appointment anytime. Find your consultant below.

Alex Ball: Pre-Law | History | History & Philosophy of Science | Philosophy | Political Science | Politics & Philosophy
Carol Balk: Administration of Justice | Law, Criminal Justice & Society | Legal Studies | Public Service | Urban Studies | Urban Planning
Erin Wheeler: Economics

Lawyer
Policy Analyst
Legislative Aid
Campaign Organizer
Archivist
History Teacher/Professor
Museum Educator
Ethics Officer
Consultant
Technical Writer
Journalist

Political Science
Law, Criminal Justice, and Society
Philosophy
History
Public Policy
Public Affairs
HIstory and Philosophy of Science
Museum Studies
Classics
Economics
English Writing
Communication

Pursue Relevant Internships Early-Seek internships with government agencies, nonprofits, or law firms to gain experience and build your professional network
Develop Strong Research and Writing Skills-Policy and legal work demand excellent analytical writing. Practice distilling complex information into clear, persuasive arguments
Stay Informed on Current Events-Read reputable news daily and follow policy debates to understand issues and identify your areas of interest
Build Relationships with Professors and Mentors-Connect with faculty in political science, law, or policy for guidance, recommendations, and professional introductions
Engage in Community Service and Advocacy-Volunteer locally, join advocacy campaigns, or participate in student government to demonstrate commitment and understand policy impact

Allegheny County Public Defenders Office Internship
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Intern
Law Office File Clerk/Intern
Heinz History Center Internship
Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Summer Internship Program
Juvenile Justice Intern
United Nations Population Fund Ethics Internship

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Innocence Project
Political Office Campaigns
Neighborhood Legal Services
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Attend Public Lectures and Panel Discussions– Participate in campus talks featuring policymakers, lawyers, and public servants to learn about career paths and current challenges
Join Pre-Law or Policy-Focused Student Organizations-Engage with clubs that align with your interests to meet like-minded peers, attend events, and access exclusive resources
Consider Study Abroad or Language Learning-International experience and language skills enhance your understanding of global policy issues and broaden your career opportunities
Seek Out Informational Interviews Reach out to professionals in fields you’re curious about to learn about their work, gain insights, and expand your network

Campaign Operatives
Congressional Staffers
Policy Analysts
Public Speakers
Professors
Journalists/Press/Communications
Lawyers
Judges
City/State/Federal Goverment Employees
Museum Staff
Law School Attendees
Juvenile Detention Employees

Learn about the Law School Application Process
See the day to day interworkings of running a campaign
Understand how to gain better public speaking skills
Discover different roles that make up museums
Find out about research opportunities that might be available to you through working with professors

Seek industry insider advice-Talk to people who work in your interested industry, it can lead to helpful tips and possibly experience
Explore local cultural institutions-Visit a local museum and talk to members working there to gain insight into opportunities
Leverage your university connection-Use the Alumni Tool on LinkedIn to connect with former Pitt students currently in Law School
Build government sector relationships-Attend Networking and Shadowing events to make connections with individuals working in the Local, State or Federal Government

Attend Goverment & Non-Profit Networking & Panel event hosted by the Career Center
Attend Public Speaker Series through Library System & More
Volunteer with local museums to build skills and make connections
Volunteer as a student with political campaigns that interest you
Network with alumni working in the Political Field

Intern with Government Agencies or Nonprofits-Apply for internships at local, state, or federal offices to gain hands-on experience in policy development and public administration
Attend Policy Forums and Legal Workshops-Participate in campus events featuring practitioners and policymakers to learn about current issues and expand your professional network
Take Courses in Political Science and Law-Enroll in classes covering constitutional law, public policy, ethics, and government to build foundational knowledge for your career
Volunteer for Political Campaigns or Advocacy Groups-Get involved in grassroots organizing, voter registration, or issue-based campaigns to understand how policy change happens in practice
Apply for Pre-Law and Public Service Programs-Pursue summer academies, leadership institutes, or fellowship programs that provide mentorship, training, and connections to the field

Continue in your career journey by navigating through the process here!