OXFORD

NATIONAL POLICY + GOVERNMENT
You might consider this sector if you are interested in making a social or legislative
impact in your home country – working for a political party or Think Tank, or becoming
a civil servant at local or national level. Information on this page concentrates on the
sector in the UK (where some organisations have strict entry regulations regarding UK
residency, though not necessarily nationality). However, much of the advice can be
extended to careers in states across the world.
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agencies and regulatory bodies, all of which recruit
graduates. Local government is an even bigger employer in
implementing policies of elected representatives.
representatives directly, as advisers, researchers and
assistants – which is often an effective way of entering
politics. You could even stand as an MP yourself, following
in the footsteps of the youngest MP of modern times
variety, new challenges and opportunities to do something
that has a big impact on the public.
politics, but are sometimes aligned with a particular
the media, and through direct contact with
politicians and organisations. For more about
GETTING IN AND ENTRY POINTS
Analytical. Other agencies have separate recruitment
vary, but are mainly in early Michaelmas Term. By becoming
government department and in more than one part of the
charities, Europe or other public sector organisations are
also available.
Individual, graduate-level vacancies in different
website as they arise. Other routes in include temping
and short-term project roles. Internships are not generally
offered apart from the Early Diversity Internship Programme
Rebecca Hewstone
Senior Manager, Department for
Education
“You may not land your dream role or
first choice Department straight away
but later you can apply for jobs in the
areas you are most passionate about. It
took me two and a half years, but I got
there eventually!”
Local government also has a two-year graduate scheme –
The National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP),
run by the Local Government Association. The programme
aims to provide local government with high calibre
managers, training graduates through a series
of placements within councils. Options include
policy and strategy posts, customer facing
managerial and policy roles. Direct entry
positions can be found on council websites.
The website www.w4MP.org is the primary jobs
board for positions with MPs, political parties and
campaigning organisations. Internships may well be offered
(and are worth a speculative application), though they tend
to be London-based and unpaid.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
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+ Enter debate competitions in societies or the Oxford
+ Get involved with your local political party, or student
society branches. There are also several politics-related
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MORE INFORMATION:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/government
/think-tanks