Year-to-Year Policy Guide

Apply for the local policy Chicago trek to network with employers

Compete in the fall policy competition to start building key policy research skills

Join us for the Future Leaders in Public Service Info Session to learn more about funded summer opportunities in government!

Apply to programs such as Summer Links, Summer Institute in Social Research Methods and Future Leaders in Public Service

Begin researching and contacting policy organizations to self-source a summer opportunity

Participate in the winter policy competition to connect with employers partners and gain experience in policy research and analysis

Apply for Washington D.C. spring break trek

Attend Careers in Think Tanks Workshop to explore summer internship opportunities and career pathways in think tanks

Apply for a state government trek to learn about internships and career paths with the State of Illinois!

Participate in the spring impact competition to develop and implement a policy solution for a local social impact partner

Complete a summer opportunity! Sample summer opportunities that are great for first-years interested in policy include local government internships, data analysis internships, research assistantships, and nonprofit internships.

Strengthen Excel and PowerPoint skills through free LinkedIn Learning courses available to UChicago students.

Apply for the local policy Chicago trek to network with employers

Compete in the fall policy competition to start building key policy research skills

Participate in a Metcalf Sprint to build experience working on a project with an employer partner

Join us for the Future Leaders in Public Service Info Session to learn more about funded summer opportunities in government!

Apply to programs such as Summer Links, Summer Institute in Social Research Methods and Future Leaders in Public Service

Submit applications for summer internships with think tanks and government agencies. Many think tanks such as the Cato Institute, Brookings Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, Migration Policy Institute, Stimson Center and more have winter/early spring deadlines!

Apply for Washington D.C. spring break trek

Attend Careers in Think Tanks Workshop to explore summer internship opportunities and career pathways in think tanks

Participate in the winter policy competition to connect with employers partners and gain experience in policy research and analysis

Continue submitting applications for summer policy opportunities.

Participate in a Metcalf Sprint to build experience working on a project with an employer partner

Apply for a state government trek to learn about internships and career paths with the State of Illinois!

Participate in the spring impact competition to develop and implement a policy solution for a local social impact partner

Complete a summer opportunity – many second-years participate in summer internships with organizations such as: the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, state and local government agencies, think tanks, nonprofits, and government relations and social impact consulting firms.

Compete in the fall policy competition to start building key policy research skills

Apply for the local policy Chicago trek to network with employers

Participate in a Metcalf Sprint to build experience working on a project with an employer partner

Join us for the Future Leaders in Public Service Info Session to learn more about funded summer opportunities in government!

Apply to programs such as Summer Links, Summer Institute in Social Research Methods and Future Leaders in Public Service

Submit applications for summer internships with think tanks and government agencies. Many think tanks such as the Cato Institute, Brookings Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, Migration Policy Institute, Stimson Center and more have winter/early spring deadlines!

Participate in the winter policy competition to connect with employers partners and gain experience in policy research and analysis

Apply for Washington D.C. spring break trek

Attend Careers in Think Tanks Workshop to explore summer internship opportunities and career pathways in think tanks

Continue submitting applications for summer policy opportunities.

Participate in a Metcalf Sprint to build experience working on a project with an employer partner

Apply for a state government trek to learn about internships and career paths with the State of Illinois!

Participate in the spring impact competition to develop and implement a policy solution for a local social impact partner

Complete a summer opportunity – many third-years participate in summer internships with organizations such as: the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, state and local government agencies, think tanks, nonprofits, and government relations and social impact consulting firms.

Reach out to employer partners and alumni to set up networking chats

Apply for the local policy Chicago trek to network with employers

Begin applying for full-time policy and think tank roles

Apply for Washington D.C. spring break trek

Attend Careers in Think Tanks Workshop to explore summer internship opportunities and career pathways in think tanks

Continue applying for full-time roles. Many social impact organizations will begin recruiting for roles with a summer start date in early spring

Finalize your post-graduation plans

Start your post-grad opportunity!