Explore GLP
Careers in government, law, and public policy offer a wide range of opportunities to lead, serve the public interest, and ensure fundamental rights and social justice. We invite you to explore this cluster to determine if it is a good fit for you and leverage our resources to launch your job, internship, or graduate school search.
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Our specialized Government, Law, and Public Policy career coaches will help you launch a job, internship, or graduate school search in your field of interest. They also do pre-law advising.
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Explore Opportunities in Government, Law, and Public Policy
Government (Federal)
Careers within the federal government include opportunities within the three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—as well as in any of the vast number of federal agencies and departments, like the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Labor, Federal Trade Commission, National Science Foundation, and many more. Depending on where your interests lay, you can pursue career paths affecting policy, legislation, the environment, transportation, education, commerce, and much more.
Types of Positions
There is a range of functional roles and positions within the federal government, from environmental scientists to museum curators and beyond. Below are common entry-level positions within the federal legislature.
- Analyst
- Legislative Aide
- Congressional Aide
- Press Assistant
- Entry-Level Officer or Agent (in federal agencies/departments)
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- Department of State
- Department of Justice
- National Institutes of Health
- Department of Commerce
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Hiring Timelines
- 6% received job offers before senior year
- 17% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 56% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 22% received job offers after graduation
Learn About Federal Government Careers
- Vault Guide to Government Jobs
- Go Government
- Partnership for Public Service
- Congressional Staffer Career Guide
- Federal News Network - Workforce
- Government Executive
- How to Write a Federal Resume
Opportunities in Federal Government
- USAJobs
- Virtual Student Federal Service
- College to Congress
- U.S. House of Representatives Placement Service
- U.S. Senate Job and Internship Openings
- White House Internships
- Daybook
Campus Resources
- Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy
- Boston College Democrats
- Boston College Republicans
- Young Democratic Socialists of Boston College
- Americans for Informed Democracy, BC Chapter
- John Quincy Adams Society
Professional Associations and Organizations
- American Federation of Government Workers
- National Association of Government Employees
- National Federation of Federal Employees
- Young Government Leaders
- Blacks in Government
- Department of Justice Pride
- LGBT Congressional Staff Association
- Federal Asian Pacific American Council
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
- Future Leaders in America’s Government
- House Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Do I need to go to graduate school?
Graduate degrees are not required for working in the federal government. However, there are a number of graduate degree paths, including law school and masters and doctoral programs in fields such as policy, administration, public affairs, international affairs, and government, as well as STEM and the liberal arts, for those interested in gaining greater knowledge and experience in areas relevant to government work.
Visit the "Find Your Graduate Degree for Public Service" page on the NASPAA website to explore graduate degrees in public policy and public administration.
Government (State/Local)
Similar to the federal government, careers within state and local government include opportunities in each of the three branches of government: executive (such as a governor’s or county executive’s offices), legislative (such as a state or town assembly), and judicial (such as state superior courts or county district attorney offices). In addition to legislature, governance, and policy, state and local governments also afford ample opportunities to forge careers in areas such as the environment, energy, health, education, and many more.
Types of Positions
Much like the federal government, there are a number of functional roles within state and local government beyond the political sphere, including engineering, education, and energy. Common early-career job titles within state and local governments in each of the three branches of government include:
- Legislative Aide
- Assistant City Manager
- State Senate Staff Assistant
- Judicial Aide
- Government Associate
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- California Governor’s Office
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
- Massachusetts Court Service Center
- Massachusetts State House
- New York State Assembly
- Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office
- Suffolk County District Attorney
- Town of Brookline
Hiring Timelines
- 46% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 54% received job offers the summer after senior year
Learn About State/Local Government Careers
- Vault Guide to Government Jobs
- Local Government Career Guide
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- MASSterlist (Massachusetts)
- Massachusetts Office of Access and Opportunity
- City of Boston Office of Diversity
Opportunities in State/Local Government
- Daybook
- Massachusetts Careers/Internships
- New York Careers/Internships
- California Careers/Internships
- Connecticut Careers/Internships
- New Jersey Careers/Internships
- Pennsylvania Careers/Internships
- Florida Careers/Internships
- ICMA Job Center
- ICMA Local Government Fellowship/Internship Programs
Campus Resources
- Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy
- Boston College Democrats
- Boston College Republicans
- Young Democratic Socialists of Boston College
- Americans for Informed Democracy, BC Chapter
Professional Associations and Organizations
- Engaging Local Government Leaders
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- National Civic League
- Council of State Governments
- National Association of Counties
- National League of Cities
- State Government Affairs Council
- Blacks in Government
- Society of American Indian Government Employees
- National Black Chamber of Commerce
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Future Leaders in America’s Government
Do I need to go to graduate school?
Graduate degrees are not required for working in state and local government. However, there are a number of graduate degree paths, including law school and masters and doctoral programs in fields such as policy, administration, public affairs, international affairs, and government, as well as STEM and the liberal arts, for those interested in gaining greater knowledge and experience in areas relevant to government work.
Visit the "Find Your Graduate Degree for Public Service" page on the NASPAA website to explore graduate degrees in public policy and public administration.
International Affairs
International affairs encompasses a wide range of multi- and interdisciplinary careers in diplomacy, economic development, policy, trade, security, human rights, and various other areas. Students interested in international affairs may embark on careers in government agencies like the Foreign Service and Peace Corps, multilateral organizations like the United Nations, or a range of international non-governmental organizations and nonprofits.
Types of Positions
International affairs is a broad industry field. From ambassador down to language editor, there are a number of positions depending on organization type and functional area. Common early-career job types in international affairs include the following:
- Junior Foreign Service Officer
- Advisor
- Program Officer
- Administrative Officer
- Strategy Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Translator
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Department of State
- United Nations World Food Programme
- United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
- U.S. Institute of Peace
- British Embassy, Paris
- Society for International Development
- ACCION International
- Norwegian Refugee Council
Learn About International Affairs Careers
- APSIA International Career Guide
- Boston Network of International Development (BNID)
- Expatica
- Going Global
- Yearbook of International Organizations
- Global Access Pipeline
Opportunities in International Affairs
- BNID Job and Internship Board
- ImpactPool
- Devex Job Board
- United Nations Careers
- State Department Careers
- APSIA Jobs and Internships Board
Campus Resources
Professional Associations and Organizations
Do I need to go to graduate school?
Graduate study for an international affairs career is dependent on the organization and functional area within the industry. For example, multilateral organizations like the United Nations value candidates who are embarking on or have graduated with advanced degrees in relevant fields, including international affairs and a range of STEM and liberal arts disciplines. Examples of industry-specific graduate degrees include master’s and doctorates in global affairs, international affairs, development, public administration, and policy. Foreign Policy keeps an updated list of top graduate programs for international relations, while interested students should also visit the APSIA website.
Law
Law is a vast field that offers career options in a variety of settings and specializations. Broadly speaking, lawyers work in private practice, business, public interest, government, and academia. Attorneys who specialize in transactional law carry out research and counsel individuals and organizations on a range of legal matters, while those who specialize in litigation settle civil and criminal legal suits in court. Anyone who wishes to become a lawyer must attend law school, which is generally a three-year commitment, and pass the bar exam in the state(s) where they wish to practice.
Types of Positions
There is a wide range of careers within the law and legal services industry. Students who wish to work in the industry prior to entering law school generally assume positions as the following at law firms, district attorney offices, and elsewhere:
- Paralegal
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Analyst
During law school and following graduation from law school and passage of the bar, JDs start their careers as the following:
- Associate
- Summer Associate
- Attorney
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
Law Schools:
- Boston College Law School
- Boston University Law School
- Columbia University Law School
- Duke University School of Law
- Fordham Law School
- Georgetown Law Center
- George Washington University Law School
- Harvard Law School
- UCLA Law School
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- University of Virginia Law School
Employment:
- Belcher Fitzgerald
- Hogan Lovells
- Hudson
- Latham and Watkins
- Massachusetts Court Service Center
- Mintz
- Paul Weiss
- Ropes and Gray
- U.S. Attorneys Office, Boston
- White and Case
Hiring Timelines
- 2% received job offers during fall semester of senior year
- 64% received job offers during spring semester of senior year
- 34% received job offers the summer after senior year
Learn About Legal Careers
- Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
- AccessLex
- National Association for Law Placement (NALP)
- Vault Guide to Law
- Vault Guide to Law Jobs
- Law.com
Opportunities in Law
Campus Resources
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
- Boston Lawyers Group
- Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO)
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association
- National Native American Bar Association
- National Association of Women Judges
- LGBT Bar
- For People of Color, Inc. Pre-Law
- Transgender Law Center
Pre-Law Summer Programs
Looking for something to do this summer? Check out our database that details summer programs for students at various points of the law school application process. Browse the different tabs to find a program that is right for you!
Applying to Law School
In order to begin your career as an attorney, you must attend law school. The Boston College Career Center offers resources to help you explore your interests in law school and prepare your law school applications, from writing your personal statement to studying for the LSAT. Consider scheduling an appointment with the GLP career coach and pre-law advisor for one-on-one advising.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement officials operate at every level of society, from smaller, community-based police organizations, to municipal and state police forces, national agencies like the FBI, U.S. Marshals, DEA, and Secret Service, and international organizations like Interpol. Beyond policing, the broader fields of law enforcement and criminal justice include careers in forensics, social work, and counseling, among others.
Types of Positions
From FBI Director to crime scene investigator, there are various career paths within the law enforcement industry. Common entry-level positions in local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies include:
- Patrol Officer
- Deputy U.S. Marshal
- Entry-Level Special Agent
- Entry-Level FBI Agent
Learn About Law Enforcement Careers
Opportunities in Law Enforcement
- Vault Guide to Public Safety Jobs
- Vault Guide to Criminal Justice Jobs
- Go Law Enforcement
- Go Law Enforcement Job Board
- FBI Collegiate Hiring Initiative
- Secret Service Careers
- Interpol Internships
Campus Resources
Professional Associations
Do I need to go to graduate school?
For forensic work, graduate work in STEM fields, and forensic science in particular, is valued. For counseling psychology, clinical graduate work is required.
Military/Defense
The U.S. armed forces and federal departments and agencies like the Department of Defense, National Security Agency, and Central Intelligence Agency defend the nation and American interests at home and abroad. While the conventional path to defense careers starts with joining one of the four branches of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps), the National Guard, or the Coast Guard as an enlisted serviceman or officer, there are many opportunities for civilians to embark on defense careers in federal departments and agencies. Defense careers include number of diverse sectors, including intelligence, policy, research, medicine, aid, engineering, and technology.
Types of Positions
There are a number of civilian and military positions within the defense industry, including in the areas of engineer, technology, and intelligence. Depending on the branch of the military, and if a student has participated in ROTC, one can enter the armed forces as an enlisted serviceman via recruiter or embarking on officer training.
- Technician
- Administrator
- Intelligence officer
- Enlisted Service Person
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
Boston College has alumni actively serving in all branches of the military. Alumni also work in areas such as the Department of Defense and National Security Agency.
Learn About Military/Defense Careers
Armed Forces Recruiting Opportunities:
Campus Resources
Public Policy/Advocacy
Careers in public policy and advocacy include a range of opportunities to research and implement government policy, advocate and lobby for interest groups, fight for social justice, influence lawmakers, and elect candidates to office. Students interested in pursuing careers in public and policy and advocacy may work in think tanks, government relations offices, activist organizations, policy and advocacy nonprofit organizations, political campaigns, lobbying firms, and political consulting companies.
Types of Positions
From director of research at a global think tank to speechwriter for a political campaign, there is a wide range of positions and functions within the public policy and advocacy career fields. Some common early-career positions include:
- Legislative lobbyist
- Government relations associate
- Campaign staff worker
- Program analyst
- Policy analyst
- Researcher
- Translator
Where BC Graduates Have Gone
- Brookings Institute
- GLAAD
- RAND Corporation
- Blue Revolution
- League of Conservation Voters
- Partnership for Public Service
- Blue Revolution
- American Enterprise Institute
- U.S. Public Interest Research Group
- International Chamber of Commerce
Learn About Public Policy/Advocacy Careers
- Vault Guide to Politics, Public Policy, and Activism Jobs
- Think Tank Career Guide - 80,000 Hours
- Public Policy Career Guide - Indeed
- Human Rights Career Paths
- Guide to Working on Political Campaigns - Harvard Law School
Opportunities in Public Policy/Advocacy
- Idealist
- Daybook
- HillZoo
- Go To Think Tank - UPenn
- LobbyingJobs.com
- Congressional Research Service Careers
- Interested?? Job Email
Campus Resources
Professional Associations
- American Association for Public Administration
- Alliance for Nonprofit Management
- American Association of Political Consultants
- Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
- Association of Government Relations Professionals
- National Academy of Public Administration
- National Council of Nonprofits
- National Association of Election Officials
- International Association of Political Consultants
- Women in Government Relations
- Women Impacting Public Policy
- Preparing Women to Lead
- National Forum for Black Public Leadership
- National Black Justice Coalition
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Do I need to go to graduate school?
Advanced degrees, including masters or doctorates, are desirable for many public policy positions, which oftentimes require expertise in specific subject areas. Think tank policy analysts, for example, have advanced degrees in economics, public policy, public administration, or public affairs. Advanced degrees in liberal arts and STEM disciplines are also desirable. Visit the "Find Your Graduate Degree for Public Service" page on the NASPAA website to explore graduate degrees in public policy and public administration. The Princeton Review Public Policy page has more information about degrees in public policy.
