Policy analysts try to sway political and social events and create public awareness about various concerns. Conducting research, reviewing current policies, evaluating the effects of proposed legislation, and reporting findings are all part of this process. While it is feasible to operate as a generalist in this field, many policy analysts prefer to specialize and develop expertise in a certain area.
They generally work a combination of office-based work, fieldwork, and travel, with long and irregular hours. People who are passionate about advancement and implementing change, who are great communicators, and who have an analytical approach to evaluating and reporting data are ideally suited for this position.
Policy Analyst duties and responsibilities
Policy analysts can work for a variety of companies and perform a variety of jobs. According to the job descriptions we looked at, a policy analyst’s responsibilities often include:
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Reviewing legislation and policies
Reviewing and evaluating policies and legislation to identify the advantages and consequences of any changes that may occur is an important component of this profession. This entails recognizing favorable aspects of a policy as well as any problems in its legality.
Liaising with stakeholders
Policy analysts consult with stakeholders to establish the documents’ needs, concerns, and points of view, as well as the project’s objectives.
Gathering data
They collect and report on both quantitative and qualitative data, assessing it for any trends or significant information that could aid in the formulation of new policies.
Evaluating the effects of existing policies
Policy analysts look at the consequences of present policies and government programs, such as whether a new policy will benefit the public or help the government reach particular objectives.
Writing reports
They write reports that compress and summarize data and present key evidence for stakeholders to consider.
Policy Analyst skills and qualifications
Policy analysts should have excellent communication skills and intrapersonal skills, be confident public speakers who can give presentations and reports on their results, and be able to work well in a team.
Employers will often require a bachelor’s degree in political science or a related field, as well as relevant job experience and the skills listed below:
- Analytical Skills- They must assess data from various viewpoints, thus they must approach assignments analytically.
- Organization- Working as a policy analyst requires a lot of organizational skills and attention to detail, from gathering data to producing reports and working in the field to determining how policies will affect the public.
- Communication Skills- These analysts must be able to communicate effectively both vocally and in writing, from report writing to presenting findings.
- Teamwork- They often work on projects as part of a team, thus excellent teamwork skills are essential for success in this field.
- Interpersonal skills- Policy analysts interact with people from all walks of life, so they must be able to maintain a professional and courteous demeanor at all times.
Policy analyst education and training
A bachelor’s degree in political science or public policy is required to work as a policy analyst. Employers also look for applicants who have worked in the political or government sectors and have built a solid network of contacts before reaching this stage of their careers.
Many college campuses have student organizations devoted to public policy issues, where students can obtain valuable experience. Because much of the work at think tanks is related to academic work, several analysts get expertise by working as college or university teachers.
Policy analyst salary and outlook
According to PayScale, the median yearly compensation for policy analysts is over $56,000. The lowest-paid analysts earn roughly $40,000 per year, while the highest-paid earn close to $81,000.
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Bonuses of up to $6,000 and profit-sharing opportunities of up to $5,000 are available at the higher end of the pay scale. The salary for this position is determined by the amount of experience, and most firms include dental and medical insurance as part of their benefits package.
