Stay ConnectedActionable, expert advice on policy careers in AI, biosecurity, and emerging technologies. Learn how to break into US policy, where you can make a difference, and strategies to advance your career.
Narrations of emergingtechpolicy.org guides by the Horizon Institute for Public Service.
Copyright: © 2025 All rights reserved
We generally advise against pursuing a PhD for policy work. This guide explains why, gives exceptions to this advice, and offers strategies for optimizing a PhD program for policy work.
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Outline:
(01:21) Why we typically advise against PhDs
(02:53) The high opportunity cost of PhD programs
(05:11) PhDs are optimized for academic careers, not policy careers
(06:57) When a PhD makes sense for policy work
(07:16) You're targeting institutions that prize PhDs
(09:56) You want to keep the option of an academic career open
(11:04) You want to specialize deeply in a technically complex topic (and alternatives to PhDs are insufficient)
(12:25) You aim for specific high benefit-to-cost PhD programs
(13:53) PhD programs optimized for policy careers
(14:11) Key criteria for policy-focused PhD programs
(16:30) Policy-oriented PhD programs to consider
(21:10) Optimizing your PhD for policy impact
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 15 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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Last updated:
November 25th, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/graduate-school/phds
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Passing a background check and receiving clearance is among the biggest barriers to federal employment. This can make holding an active clearance (or being eligible for one) one of the most valuable assets for advancing your federal career.
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Outline:
(01:13) Levels of background checks and security clearances
(04:24) What's the process for getting a security clearance?
(07:56) What roles do you need a security clearance for?
(08:36) What can disqualify you (and how to mitigate it)
(23:37) Security clearance tips
(26:13) FAQ
(26:30) Further resources
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 17 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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First published:
November 10th, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/security-clearances
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BIS is the lead agency tasked with administering and enforcing export controls on dual-use items and technology. BIS has become increasingly central to the US government’s AI and biosecurity policy efforts.
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Outline:
(00:10) Overview
(01:49) Background on BIS
(03:27) History and activities
(06:51) Organizational structure
(07:48) BIS and AI policy
(09:42) Major AI-related developments at BIS
(12:18) BIS offices working on AI policy
(12:36) BIS and biosecurity policy
(14:35) Major biosecurity-related developments at BIS
(16:40) BIS offices working on biosecurity policy
(16:59) Working at BIS
(18:12) Further reading
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
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Last updated:
February 3rd, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/bureau-of-industry-and-security
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Learn how to publish short, policy-relevant pieces in public outlets—including how to choose your topic, article type, and outlet. Publishing articles can help you shape policy debates, build your credentials and reputation, and strengthen your public engagement skills.
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Outline:
(00:10) Overview
(00:40) Why publish in policy outlets?
(02:14) An alternative: Starting your own platform
(03:37) A note of caution
(04:55) Types of articles and policy outlets
(05:10) Types of articles
(06:54) Types of outlets
(07:21) Choosing an outlet
(10:10) What should you write about?
(11:06) Writing about your expertise/research
(12:00) Writing about what's in the news
(12:33) Writing about an outlet's specialization
(13:06) Co-authoring
(14:01) How to write a policy article
(16:01) How to pitch your article
(16:17) Timeline
(17:04) Finding the right editor (and their email)
(18:09) Writing the pitch
(18:59) What to do after your piece is accepted
(20:18) Career opportunities
(21:44) Further reading
(21:50) Appendix: List of outlets
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 6 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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Last updated:
September 8th, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/tips/publishing-in-policy-outlets
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the nation's cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience.
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Outline:
(00:12) Overview
(01:33) Background on CISA
(03:00) Organizational structure
(05:19) CISA and AI policy
(06:21) Recent AI-related developments at CISA
(08:44) CISA offices working on AI policy
(09:02) Working at CISA
(11:06) Further reading
(11:11) Experience reports
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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Last updated:
January 15th, 2025
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Learn how to create and adapt your personal “pitch” in policy settings, from happy hours to informational interviews. Your pitch tells your professional story—your background, motivations, and interests—and is a key part of effective networking.
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Outline:
(00:33) Why do you need a pitch?
(01:35) Crafting your pitch
(03:21) Example pitches
(06:23) Tips for your pitch
(10:29) Preparing for follow-up questions:
(11:08) Adapting your pitch by audience and context
(17:15) Practicing your pitch
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 3 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
---
Last updated:
June 10th, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/tips/pitching-yourself-in-policy-contexts
Learn how to create and adapt your personal “pitch” in policy settings, from happy hours to informational interviews. Your pitch tells your professional story—your background, motivations, and interests—and is a key part of effective networking.
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Outline:
(00:33) Why do you need a pitch?
(01:34) Crafting your pitch
(03:20) Example pitches
(06:22) Tips for your pitch
(10:40) Preparing for follow-up questions:
(11:18) Adapting your pitch by audience and context
(17:26) Practicing your pitch
---
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 3 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
---
Last updated:
June 10th, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/how-to-pitch-yourself-in-policy-contexts
Learn how to publish short, policy-relevant pieces in public outlets—including how to choose your topic, article type, and outlet. Publishing articles can help you shape policy debates, build your credentials and reputation, and strengthen your public engagement skills.
---
Outline:
(00:10) Overview
(00:39) Why publish in policy outlets?
(02:43) Types of articles and policy outlets
(02:58) Types of articles
(04:42) Types of outlets
(05:08) Choosing an outlet
(07:57) What should you write about?
(08:55) Writing about your expertise/research
(09:48) Writing about what's in the news
(10:21) Writing about an outlet's specialization
(10:54) Co-authoring
(11:49) How to write a policy article
(13:48) How to pitch your article
(14:04) Timeline
(14:41) Finding the right editor (and their email)
(15:35) Writing the pitch
(16:24) What to do after your piece is accepted
(17:34) Further reading
(17:40) Appendix: List of outlets
---
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 6 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
---
Last updated:
June 23rd, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/publishing-in-policy-outlets
TechCongress offers 10-12 month bipartisan full-time congressional fellowships for early- to mid-career professionals with technical experience. No prior policy experience is required.
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Outline:
(00:10) What are policy fellowships?
(02:26) Tips for a successful fellowship
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
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First published:
September 19th, 2023
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/pathways/policy-fellowships
The military departments—Army, Navy, and Air Force—organize, train, and equip the US armed forces. They play central roles in AI and biosecurity through large-scale R&D programs, operational testing, and technology adoption for national defense.
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Outline:
(00:10) Overview
(01:28) Organization
(04:03) Military departments and emerging technology
(05:52) AI R&D and deployment
(06:35) Bio R&D and deployment
(07:04) Department of the Army (DA)
(08:18) Organization
(09:58) DA and AI policy
(10:35) DA and bio policy
(11:08) Department of the Navy (DON)
(11:52) Organization
(14:20) DON and AI policy
(15:46) DON and bio policy
(17:27) Department of the Air Force (DAF)
(18:08) Organization
(20:03) DAF and AI policy
(20:48) DAF and bio policy
(21:20) Working in the military departments
(21:46) Types of employment
(22:30) Example roles
(22:50) Internships and fellowships
(23:41) Full-time jobs
(24:21) Further reading
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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.
The original text contained 27 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.
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First published:
May 23rd, 2025
Source:
https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/us-military-departments
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Images from the article:
Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.
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