Government, Policy, Law, & Social Change
Career Community for Government, Policy, Law, & Social Change
This community centers on the study and practice of government, law, public policy, advocacy, and social change. Students interested in serving the public good, advancing justice, influencing decision-making, and strengthening communities can explore career paths, build professional networks, and gain hands-on experience through this community.
You might belong here if you….
- Are curious about how laws, policies, and institutions shape our world
- Want to help communities address complex social challenges
- Are interested in careers in government, law, policy, nonprofit organizations, or international affairs
- Enjoy critical thinking, research, writing, and problem-solving
- Are passionate about creating positive social change
Some careers students pursue in this community are:
Government, Policy, Law, & Social Change Career Pathways
- Attorney
- Paralegal
- Legislative Aide
- Policy Analyst
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Government Relations Associate
- Intelligence Analyst
- Foreign Service Officer
- City Planner
- Compliance Analyst
- Human Rights Advocate
- Community Outreach Manager
- Nonprofit Program Manager
- Advocacy Coordinator
- Campaign Manager
- Public Administrator
- Court Administrator
- Mediator
- Program Evaluator
- International Development Specialist
- Political Consultant
- Lobbyist
- Social Impact Consultant
- Legislative Analyst
- Research Associate
Skills You’ll build in This Community
Skills Taxonomy
- Communication
- Advocacy
- Leadership
- Research
- Civic Engagement
- Law & Government Literacy
- Adaptability
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
Campus Involvement
Getting involved on campus is one of the best ways to build experience, leadership skills, and professional connections. Clark University offers 130+ student organizations across academic, professional, and leadership areas, giving students many ways to explore business-related interests.
Student Clubs & Orgs
Getting involved on campus is one of the best ways to build experience, leadership skills, and professional connections. Clark University offers 130+ student organizations across academic, professional, and leadership areas, giving students many ways to explore technology and computing-related interests.
Mock Trial Team
Clark’s Mock Trial Team attends competitive tournaments throughout the year, through which members bring a court case to life. Mock Trial helps cultivate interests in advocacy, law, and public speaking.
Model United Nations at Clark University
Model United Nations at Clark University (MUN at Clark) is a top 25 North American Team that gives opportunities for Clark students to compete and travel to Model UN conference across the U.S. and Canada.
Pre-Law Society
The Pre-Law Society gives undergraduate students interested in law school and a career in law the opportunity to interact with peers on a regular basis. This includes events like law school admissions panelists, law school fairs, and LSAT prep opportunities.
Activist United
Activist United is a collective group of organizers and activists working towards a more just and equitable community
Amnesty International
Amnesty International works to shine a light on local and global human rights abuses and injustices to achieve dignity for all people
Democrats of Clark University
The goal of the Democrats of Clark University is to promote the idea that Democratic politics and platforms should be accessible to all. DCU strives to open conversation across the political spectrum leaning to meaningful contributions to our community
Students Defending American Democracy
Our group – in conjunction with the non-profit Lawyers Defending American Democracy – encourages students to participate in pro-democracy/government volunteer opportunities, jobs and internships
Petey Greene Student Group (PGP)
The Petey Green Program supports the academic goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality volunteer tutoring programs
What can I do now? (Action steps by class year):
First Years: Explore & Get Involved
- Attend career events, info sessions, and employer panels to learn about careers
- Join 1–2 student organizations (related to debate, civic engagement, or pre-law interests or not)
- Take introductory courses in political science, sociology, economics, or legal studies
- Explore current events through reputable news and policy sources
- Start building basic skills (writing, research, communication, and critical thinking)
- Meet with Career Services to explore interests and options
- Create a first résumé and LinkedIn profile
- Talk to sophomores/juniors about their experiences
- Take a variety of classes to explore interests
- Begin informational interviews with alumni or professionals in public service fields
Juniors: Focus & Gain Experience
- Secure a targeted internship (critical recruiting year)
- Take on leadership roles in clubs or organizations
- Strengthen technical specialization areas
- Network intentionally with alumni and professionals
- Attend career fairs and employer recruiting events
- Refine résumé, cover letters, and interview skills
- Conduct research projects or independent studies with faculty
- Begin preparing for graduate school or law school exams (LSAT, GRE if needed)
- Consider whether graduate school may be part of your path
Sophomores: Build Skills & Experience
- Take foundational courses (political science, sociology, economics, or legal studies etc.)
- Pursue early internship, part-time job, or summer experience (government agencies, law firms, policy institutes, NGOs)
- Get more involved in a club (active member or small leadership role)
- Attend networking events and begin connecting with alumni
- Participate in alumni shadowing program, campus career fairs and alumni sessions to learn more
- Build research, policy writing, and analytical skills through coursework
- Begin developing a resume focused on public service and policy experience
- Start exploring specific career paths (Government, nonprofit, advocacy etc.)
- Attend law school or graduate school information sessions (if applicable)
Seniors: Launch Your Career
- Apply for full-time jobs or post-grad internships early
- Leverage your network (alumni, professors, past supervisors)
- Attend networking events and connect with alumni in target fields
- Practice interviewing and salary negotiation
- Finalize your professional portfolio, résumé, and LinkedIn (writing samples, policy briefs, research)
- Complete law school or graduate school applications (if pursuing advanced education)
- Stay engaged with Career Services for job search support
- Reflect on your experiences and tell your story confidently
Industry Specific Career Resources:
Students exploring the Data, Analytics, & Quantitative community can use these resources to learn about industries, research career paths, build skills, and stay current on trends.
- Professional Associations
- Labor Market & Career Exploration
- Skill Building Platforms
- Common Graduate Degrees
- American Bar Association (ABA)
National professional organization for legal professionals and law students; supports legal education, professional standards, networking, and law school resources
- Association of American Law Schools (AALS)
Membership organization for law schools and legal educators focused on advancing legal education and scholarship
- National Association for Law Placement (NALP)
Supports career development in legal education and law firm recruitment; provides resources on legal hiring, internships, and career pathways
- American Constitution Society (ACS)
Progressive legal organization focused on constitutional law, legal advocacy, and public interest law
- Federal Bar Association (FBA)
Professional association for attorneys and legal professionals practicing in federal courts and agencies
- American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
Professional organization for public service and government administration professionals focused on leadership and public sector innovation
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Supports local government professionals, city managers, and public administrators with leadership development and best practices
- National Association of Counties (NACo)
Represents county governments in the United States and provides policy advocacy, training, and resources for local government professionals
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Advocacy organization focused on LGBTQ+ rights, policy change, and civil rights initiatives
- International Law Association (ILA)
Global professional organization dedicated to the study, development, and advancement of international law
- Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
Interdisciplinary organization focused on urban policy, planning, social justice, and community development
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – occupational outlook, salary ranges, job growth
- O*NET OnLine – skills, interests, tasks, and job matches
- LinkedIn – job titles, career paths, alumni outcomes, hiring trends
- Glassdoor – salary data, company reviews, interview insights
- Indeed – internships and job openings
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – detailed career profiles
- USAJOBS Career Explorer – Federal government career platform that allows students to explore U.S. government roles, required qualifications, application processes, and internship opportunities across agencies.
- Idealist – Job and internship platform focused on nonprofit, advocacy, and social impact careers, widely used in the public interest and social change space.
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – Database tool for researching nonprofit organizations, including financials, leadership, and mission focus—useful for exploring advocacy and social impact employers.
- LinkedIn Learning – Professional development platform focused on communication, leadership, project management, policy writing, and analytical skills used across government, legal, and nonprofit careers.
- Forage – job simulation platform
- Coursera – Offers university-level courses and certificates in public policy, law, data analysis, international relations, and communication skills relevant to government and legal careers.
- edX – Provides courses from leading universities in law, public policy, political science, data analytics, and professional writing, including MicroMasters and certificate programs.
- Harvard Online Learning (HarvardX) – Offers courses in justice, constitutional law, public leadership, negotiation, and ethics through Harvard University programs.
- edX / MITx MicroMasters in Data, Economics, and Policy Fields – Advanced credential programs supporting analytical and quantitative skills used in policy research and government decision-making.
- FutureLearn – International learning platform with courses in global politics, human rights, law, and social change topics.
- National Constitution Center Resources & Courses – Educational programs and digital learning tools focused on constitutional literacy and civic education.
- ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) – Provides access to datasets and training resources for students developing research and quantitative analysis skills in social science and policy fields.
- American Bar Association (ABA) Free Legal Education Resources – Offers public-facing legal education materials, webinars, and skill-building resources for pre-law students and early-career legal professionals.
• Juris Doctor (JD)
Required for practicing law in the United States; prepares students for careers as attorneys in litigation, corporate law, public interest law, criminal law, and other legal fields
• Master of Laws (LLM)
Advanced legal study often pursued after a JD or equivalent law degree, typically used for specialization in areas such as international law, tax law, environmental law, or human rights law
• Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Prepares students for policy analysis, government roles, think tanks, and advocacy work focused on developing and evaluating public policy solutions
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Focused on leadership and management in public service, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public sector administration
• Master’s in International Relations / International Affairs (MA/IR or MS/IR)
Supports careers in diplomacy, global policy, international development, security studies, and humanitarian work
• Master’s in Political Science (MA/MS)
Often pursued for advanced research, teaching, or analytical roles in government, policy institutions, or academic settings
• Master’s in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)
Prepares students for leadership and analytical roles in law enforcement, corrections, criminal policy, and justice administration
• Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
Prepares students for licensed clinical and community-based practice, advocacy, and leadership roles in social services and nonprofit organizations
• Joint Degrees (e.g., JD/MPP, JD/MPA, JD/MBA)
Combines legal training with policy, administration, or business expertise for interdisciplinary careers in law, government, and organizational leadership
