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Government, Policy, Law & International Affairs

The Government, Policy, Law & International Affairs cluster is a broad category of fields that are often suited for those who are mission-driven and seek to provide knowledge, support and resources for the common good. 

Government or the public sector encompasses roles at the federal, state and local levels. Public sector opportunities span across all disciplines and are great options for students from all academic backgrounds with varied experiences. 

The Law/Legal services field remains an ever-evolving, yet stable and prestigious profession. The diversity of career options and specializations offer intellectually stimulating environments that provide consistent growth professionally and financially.

International Affairs allows professionals to contribute to foreign diplomacy and engage in international policy issues such peace and security, health pandemics, human trafficking and climate change, to name a few. 

Where UMD Alumni have Worked or Interned

Info from graduation survey

  • Prince George’s County, Maryland 
  • Maryland General Assembly 
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • Covington & Burley, LLP
  • Montgomery County Police Department
  • U.S. Department of Justice 
  • Chemonics 
  • International Rescue Committee
  • World Bank 

Career options if you have a...

*Information from graduation survey, OOH, ONET

  • Government
    • Contract Specialist 
    • Economic Research Assistant 
    • Human Resources Specialist 
    • Intelligence Analyst
    • Program Analyst
    • Survey Statistician
  • Policy 
    • Case Manager
    • Election Protection Organizer
    • Legislative Director 
    • Political Team Leader
    • Program Delivery Assistant
    • Staff Assistant
  • Law 
    • Arbitrator
    • Paralegal 
    • Legal Assistant
    • Police Officer
  • International Affairs 
    • Asylee Caseworker
  • Diplomat
  • Political Affairs Officer
  • Foreign Affairs Analyst
  • Political Scientist
  • Lobbyist
  • Economist
  • Criminologist
  • Compliance Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Judge
  • Lawyer
  • Faculty 

Firsthand Career Guides

  • Politics, Public Policy and Advocacy
  • Criminal Justice Jobs 
  • Government Jobs

Government, Policy, Law & Internal Affairs Careers on YouTube

Government and Public Administration

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Law, Public Safety and Corrections

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Legislators

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Forensic Science Technicians

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Ways to Gain Experience

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Tips for Finding a Job & Internship

  • Many federal agencies post openings on USAjobs.gov, the federal government’s official career website. Create a profile, use the resume builder to create your resume and be sure to sign up for alert notifications of roles of interest. The Students and Recent Graduates section page will provide particularly helpful information. 
  • The federal resume is unlike the standard resume you may be familiar with. Check out our federal resume sample and read more about federal resume best practices. 
  • Other helpful sites for looking for government and policy roles include GoGovernment.org, ProFellow, Daybook, Tom Manatos Jobs
  • Many federal roles, including internships require candidates to undergo a basic background investigation to ensure you are “reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character and loyal to the United States.” Learning more about the security clearance process is an important part of your research for opportunities in the field. 
  • If you are interested in pursuing law school, connect with and get involved with the resources available to you via the Pre-Law Advising Office. They will support in course selection, the law school application process and connections to professionals in the field. 
  • Our proximity to DC makes a career within the international affairs space of interest to many. Check out this informative article on building a career in foreign relations for a detailed look on how to best position for the field.  

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