Public Affairs
From CareersWiki
Contents |
Sector Overview
| Is it right for me? - further information on this career area, including skills/attributes required and tactics for success (pdf) |
If you are interested in working in the political sector but you want to expand your options beyond the Civil Service, consider public affairs. Public affairs practitioners tend to work 'in house' for a large company, as an advisor for a political consultancy working with a number of clients, for a trade association or union, a political or issues-based organisation or for a government agency. Other related roles can be found in NGOs and Think Tanks, political parties or in central government, working as lobbyists, with pressure groups and with different commissions.
Within consultancy alone the range of jobs is enormous and perhaps the best way of finding out about the diverse roles is to do a preliminary job search and see what you can find. There is no such thing as a typical employer or a typical post in public affairs. Most consultancies are relatively small, which means that posts come up fairly infrequently and you may need the flexibility to take on many roles. Several of the larger PR agencies have specialised public affairs or government relations divisions.
In general a public affairs consultant tends to make the link between companies or independent organisations and the government. They use their knowledge of political processes to give advice to their clients. Public affairs consultants are required to keep up-to-date with current trends in politics, and read about policy decisions as and when they happen. They are responsible for communicating this information to their clients (some large companies have their own staff involved in public affairs). They have to be able to react quickly in any situation to build strategies for influencing public figures. The job may involve a lot of writing (composing press releases or newsletters) as well as emailing clients to keep them informed. It may also require some travelling to conferences and political events to build networks.
The Public Affairs Networking website has a very good Public Affairs Guide and profiles of people working in the industry in the UK and EU.
The Prospects website also has a useful profile of a public affairs consultant.
People with an interest in working in public affairs might also be interested in the Civil Service, Think Tanks, International Organisations, Overseas Development or the Voluntary Sector.
How to get experience
- Whilst at university involvement with political parties or other kinds of student politics, debating, and student newspapers will give you a good grounding in current affairs, communication and information. Involvement in societies or the Students' Association can give you experience of organising, teamwork, leadership and communication but they can also give you a chance to be involved in student issues and this is particularly relevant for jobs in Public Affairs. You might also apply for the St Andrews Summer Internship Scheme.
- The SaltireFoundation Undergraduate Internship Programme has offered at least one placement in public affairs in the past. Applications from penulimate year students are usually invited in November.
- Have a look at the following websites for internships:
- EthicalCareers
- Policy Jobs: the Careers Centre subscribes to Policy Jobs - Public Policy jobs and Internships. Allows member access to its sister sites: Political Jobs, Ethical Jobs and Human Rights Jobs [subscriber's username and password]
- Political Jobs: the Careers Centre subscribes to Political Jobs [subscriber's username and password]
- Policy Library
- Public Affairs Networking
- Public Affairs Links
- www.parliament.uk: Working for an MP
- Many placements or internships are not advertised - draw up a list of organisations you'd be keen to work for and send off speculative applications:
- The website Public Affairs Networking has a list of organisations which regularly recruit graduate trainees. Have a look on their websites for any information about internships or speculative applications.
- Public Affairs Networking also has lists of public affairs consultants, EU consultants and Think Tanks.
- Public Affairs Links has a directory of the key public affairs firms around the world.
- Use the Hollis UK Public Relations Annual Guide as a source of addresses - available for reference in the Careers Centre and online (to access this resource, use the subscriber's username and password).
- The Think Tanks page has a list of some of the main UK and US Think Tanks
- Offer to volunteer in MP/MSP/MEP offices. If you support a specific political party, assist your local candidate or work in their national communications team. Use websites such as Find Your MP to identify people to contact.
- Alyn Smith MEP, has produced a booklet entitled 'Opportunities for Bright Scots in Europe, which provides details of many internships available in the EU, European Parliament, Euro 'Think Tanks' and Policy Centres and Science, Technology and Research organisations. Download brochure.
How to find a job
- Your job search strategy in public affairs will test all the skills you will need to be successful in the industry itself. You may have to think creatively about your approach to job hunting and be prepared to be persistent. Networking and making speculative applications will be important as many opportunities in this area are not advertised and may evolve through volunteering. Any contacts you make will be invaluable and by gaining work experience you can begin to make these relationships. Consider the suggestions in How to get experience above.
- Have a look at the following websites:
- The Public Affairs Networking website has a list of organisations which regularly take on graduates and a list of recruitment consultancies
- Euro Brussels: European Affairs jobs
- I.E. Lobbying: Directory for European Public Affairs
- JobsGoPublic: Advertises jobs in the public sector
- People and Planet: links for local government and politics internships and career information
- Policy Jobs: the Careers Centre subscribes to Policy Jobs - Public Policy jobs and Internships. Allows member access to its sister sites: Political Jobs, Ethical Jobs and Human Rights Jobs [subscriber's username and password]
- PolicyLibrary: Jobs, research & events listing, also includes European think tank directory
- PoliticalJobs: International intern job listing
- Public Affairs Links: Site with advice, jobs and links relating to the UK lobbying industry
- Parliament: Working for an MP: Also includes think tanks, lobby groups etc
- The Institute for Faith & Culture - CARE Leadership Programme CARE is a well-established mainstream Christian charity that undertakes a variety of social caring and educational programmes in the UK as well as research and lobbying on associated issues. The IFCs Leadership Programme offers parliamentary placements in Westminster, Brussels and Edinburgh, together with several media placements and placements with a number of leading UK charities and Third Sector organisations. This scheme is open to recent graduates.
- Some large private sector companies including Anglian Water and RBS offer graduate corporate affairs/communications schemes which include public affairs
- Spend some time exploring our Think Tanks page if you are interested in jobs in this area, for links to jobs and internships.
Key Links and Resources
Careers Centre resources
Books
- Politico's guide to careers in politics and government
- HOLLIS Public Relations Annual 2010
Online
- HOLLIS PR - to access all of this website, use our subscriber's username and password.
- Policy Jobs: the Careers Centre subscribes to Policy Jobs - Public Policy jobs and Internships. Allows member access to its sister sites: Political Jobs, Ethical Jobs and Human Rights Jobs [subscriber's username and password]
- Careers Alumni Network - a database of St Andrews graduates who have volunteered to offer careers information to existing students.
- The Careers Centre subscribes to 'Going Global', a specialist website with information and job vacancies worldwide. To access Going Global login to the Careers Centre website and click on Going Global Database.
- Relevant wiki pages:
- Public Affairs Networking: Network for public affairs practitioners with very useful careers advice
- Public Affairs Links: Comprehensive information about careers in lobbying
- Public Service: The information portal for the public sector
- Types of work profiles on the Prospects website:
USA
- The Paul Nitze School of Advance International Studies (SAIS): Contains links to US resources including one on careers in Political Risk Analysis
- Internships in the US - Civil Service
- Internships in the US - Government
- Internships in the US - Public Affairs
- Internships in the US - Think Tanks and Public Policy
