Government, Policy, & Security Sector Overviews

Our sector overviews can help you explore different areas within the Government, Policy, & Security career fields and learn how you can prepare for success in recruiting!

Cybersecurity

Roles in cybersecurity require strong analytical thinking, technical problem-solving, and a thorough understanding of the threat landscape and operational context specified in the role.

  • Defensive and Offensive Cyber Operations: Protect networks and systems from threats or conduct authorized offensive operations within government and national security programs. Roles range from incident response and vulnerability assessment to penetration testing and exploitation development.

  • Cyber Policy and Threat Intelligence: Analyze adversary behavior, attribute attacks, and translate technical findings into policy-relevant insights. Roles sit at the intersection of cybersecurity and national security, informing strategy across government agencies, defense contractors, and research institutions.

Defense Tech & Contracting

Defense contractors and technology companies design, build, and sustain the systems the U.S. military and intelligence community rely on — from fighter jets and satellites to radar systems and secure communications networks.

  • Defense Research and Technology Development: Support the design, testing, and acquisition of defense systems and emerging technologies across areas such as autonomous systems, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and advanced weaponry. Roles span government agencies like DARPA and the Department of Defense, as well as prime contractors and defense-focused research institutions.

  • Acquisition, Contracting, and Program Management: Manage the procurement and oversight of defense programs, coordinating between government clients and private contractors to deliver complex systems on time and within budget. Roles require fluency in both technical requirements and the regulatory frameworks governing federal acquisition.

Government Employment

Careers in government span Capitol Hill, federal agencies, and state and local institutions. Whether shaping domestic policy, overseeing federal spending, or implementing regulatory frameworks, government professionals combine analytical rigor with public service.

  • Legislative and Executive Branch Roles: Support policymaking, oversight, and constituent engagement across Congress, federal agencies, and the Executive Office. Roles vary by branch and function, ranging from legislative affairs and appropriations to regulatory development and program management.

  • Budget, Finance, and Economic Policy: Analyze fiscal policy, federal budgets, and economic data to inform government decision-making. Roles span agencies such as the Office of Management and Budget, the Treasury Department, and the Congressional Budget Office.

  • Public Administration and Interagency Coordination: Additional pathways focused on managing government programs, coordinating across agencies, and translating policy directives into effective implementation at the federal, state, or local level.

Intelligence and Foreign Service

Intelligence and foreign service careers involve collecting and analyzing information to inform national security decision-making, while advancing U.S. interests abroad through diplomacy and international engagement.

  • Intelligence Collection and Analysis: Gather, process, and assess information from a range of sources to produce actionable intelligence products. Roles vary by discipline (e.g., signals, human, geospatial intelligence) and by focus area such as counterterrorism, nonproliferation, or regional affairs.

  • Diplomatic and Foreign Service Operations: Represent U.S. interests abroad through embassy postings, bilateral negotiations, consular work, and development programming. Roles span the State Department, USAID, and other agencies engaged in international affairs.

  • Policy, Strategy, and Interagency Roles: Additional pathways focused on translating intelligence assessments and diplomatic reporting into national security strategy, sitting at the intersection of the intelligence community, foreign service, and policymaking institutions.

Policy & Think Tanks

Roles in policy and think tanks require strong analytical thinking, clear written communication, and a thorough understanding of the policy area and ability to translate research into actionable recommendations.

  • Policy Research and Analysis: Analyze legislation, regulatory frameworks, economic data, and stakeholder dynamics to develop policy recommendations. Roles vary by organization focus (e.g., domestic policy, international affairs, advocacy-oriented vs. nonpartisan research).

  • Economic, Social, and Sectoral Policy: Analyze specific issue areas such as fiscal policy, healthcare, education, climate, trade, or national security, often combining quantitative evidence with policy judgment.

  • Outreach, Communications, and Government Affairs: Additional pathways focused on translating research, managing relationships with policymakers, and/or driving advocacy and engagement strategies.