The science of shaping solutions to public problems, like healthcare, education, or climate change. Policy analysts blend politics, economics, law, and sociology to make decisions that impact thousands or even millions of people. They need to both analyze and communicate information effectively.
Median annual salary
$0
People employed U.S.
0
Job growth score (out of 100)
0
What would you do?
Gather information on social, economic, or environmental issues
Analyze data to assess needs and improvements
Create briefing notes and talking points for elected officials
Write reports to educate the public
Advocate for legislation
Relationship toclimate change
Climate policy is absolutely essential to help solutions have large-scale impacts
To fight climate change, policy analysts…
Incentivize sustainability
• Create laws requiring certain amounts of electricity to come from solar or wind
• Give rebates for installing sustainable appliances
• Give grants to companies developing clean technologies
• Make public transportation cheaper
Coordinate climate action
• Align goals and strategies across local, state, and federal agencies
• Educate the public about policies to vote on
• Help organizations find effective policies to advocate for
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Enact a carbon tax that makes businesses pay for their emissions
• Determine if current climate programs are meeting goals or need improvement
• Monitor outcomes of sustainable policies
Create climate adaptation plans
• Identify vulnerable communities to extreme heat or other climate disasters
• Create effective climate adaptation policies by listening to community needs
• Develop strategies to combat future climate problems
Use public policy for these climate change solutions…
Julia Stein is the Deputy Director of UCLA Law School’s Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, one of the top law programs in the country. She also leads the California Environmental Legislation & Policy Clinic that trains hundreds of law students with real-world environmental policy experience working alongside legislators in California. She also has extensive experience with environmental policy at law firms.
GetStarted
Public policy is a great fit if you’re interested in politics, problem solving, ethics and justice, and working with other people.
Recommended classes
High school:
Intro to Public Policy
Public Speaking
Statistics
Government
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Seminar (helpful)
AP Research (helpful)
Project ideas
Give feedback on your city’s existing climate policies
Survey your community’s views on climate change and use findings to support policies
Create an educational campaign on a climate policy issue
Join an advocacy group and advocate for policies
Interview local leaders about climate policy challenges
Give public comments to your city or state council
