My Career Journey: Becoming a Policy Analyst | DIMEN DIARIES

This video is about all about my career journey, and how I was able to land a role within the policy realm. I hope you are able to take away some of my lessons learned to help you on your journey.
As always, please reach out with your questions, and I will be able to support and guide you to the best of my abilities!
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LET'S CONNECT! -
Instagram: / yourvirtualmentor
Email: [e-mail]
#policy #policyanalyst #politicalscience #career #jobs #youtube #college
** Disclaimer: This content is for information and entertainment purposes only and represents my opinion. It is not being sponsored, produced, or endorsed by organizations that I am employed by or affiliated with in any manner. **
Thank you for watching!

[@denver_entertainment]

The amount of networking and grit that this required is daunting and impressive.

[@phanicem4469]

This is a gold mine, OMG! This is the definition of Assertive. I took notes, set timelines, & set the ball rolling. Thank you a million.

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

You are so welcome!

[@kaiserjon584]

pro tip: watch movies on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@bodietitan557]

@Kaiser Jon Yea, I've been watching on Flixzone for years myself :D

[@sofiavallejo1358]

I love that you give the specific examples of how and why you did the things you did. Super helpful! Thank you 🙏

[@kaithleen3872]

What I am most amazed by is how you did this post-pandemic! It's so hard to network now as most people WFH, but feeling inspired and thank you for these tips!

[@emmaw.5746]

I was so excited when I got this notification! Sharing with my policy friends! Great video!❤️

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

Oh yay, thanks Emma!

[@DustyAssStar]

This is a great video and page! Thank you for sharing!! ❤️

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@laylimackani7682]

hi! My name is layli, I found this video so helpful. I'm only in 8th grade but It's always beneficial to think ahead, and for the past few years I've really liked the idea of becoming a policy analyst when I get older. It Seems like one of the most important points is to get yourself out there as much as you can, Thank you so much for the tips! I'm already taking notes to revisit later on!

[@deborahbiyi]

This was an amazing video! Thank you for sharing your journey. Super inspiring. Definitely going to take your tips on board

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching!

[@Africanvarieties]

Very educative and interesting to learn from your experience as policy analyst

[@Africanvarieties]

Do you offer a one- on -one coaching, training or learning resources to enable one land policy analyst job/ role ?

[@yanglu9555]

Wow, these are some great information and some pro tips! Thank you! May you provide us with some links to reputable sources for resume development? As a MPA graduate, I've hit a dead end upon job searching and need to restructure my resume asap. I will reach out to you by email if I have more questions. Thank you.

[@jiafeifeili8919]

Hi! Thanks for your video; I wonder if we first land in the sector or a more aspirational position. How difficult is it to transfer to a policy analyst from an admin job, compared to transferring from a policy analyst in the private sector to the public sector?

[@photoguy4212]

What personality types perform well in Public Policy? Also, how long are your days, typically? I really appreciate your content. Extremely helpful advice.

[@anobelkhoushabeh3831]

This was very informative, thank you. I recently graduated with a BA in Public Policy and a minor in Urban Studies and Planning. I would love to get into policy revolving around housing, but ill take anything at this point lol. How many internships did you involve yourself with? Also, what resume writing services do you recommend?

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

I used ResumeTarget in Toronto Canada, and that is the only company I have used that I was super pleased with the product. The key is that you have to find a company that offers a refund if you don't get an interview within x amount of time so there's a level of assurance that what you are receiving is a quality product. It takes time to land that first job, networking, job services, and being consistent in your efforts are all slowly helping you land that initial role. Best of luck to you!

[@reyan3772]

Thank youuuu....

[@ionagiraffe]

Thank you so much for this video! I recently graduated in law (summer 2020) and got my first job as a support officer for the international team of a regional Chamber of Commerce. Do you, in your experience, think this (alongside extensive volunteering policy experience) is enough to make my way into policy, or should I consider a Masters? If so, what kind - some kind of development masters or public policy? Should I specialise or do a general Masters? Sorry for such a long question!

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

Thank you for your message, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my videos. I talk about this in my last day in my life video, but maybe I’ll cover this in an upcoming q&a because I don’t feel like I would do your question justice by trying to type out a response here.

[@hollykm]

@@yourvirtualmentor9002 Did you end up filming/sharing an answer to this?

[@rara1800]

I am in desperate need of help! Right now I’m working as a health Policy assistant and I want to become a policy analyst I’m at an age where I should be in a middle of a career right now how do I get my foot in the door with health Policy I don’t have research experience do I have to start all over again? I have a plied for fellowships and internships in the past and I never get them I guess they think I’m too old. Many of these health policy jobs ask for a masters degree and experience I feel like even when I get a masters I’m always going to be ask for experience I feel like these jobs do not understand that everyone has to start somewhere

[@shemassb3453]

This was a wonderful video, could I ask: on your resume you included experience you gained in high school? How did you determine which experience was worthwhile enough to keep on from that time? How long was your resume?

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it! By the time I graduated from my Masters, my high school experience was very outdated and irrelevant to the roles I was applying for, so I did not include it on my resume. When determining what experience was relevant, I looked at the job posting to see what qualifications they were seeking and if one of my previous roles were a good demonstration of that qualification, I would include that experience and frame it exactly how it was done on the posting. My resume at the time was 2 pages, my resume now is 3 pages but I definitely need to scale it back. Two pages is a good length.

[@hongsumin57]

This is literally my dream job. For me I want to become a Immigration policy analyst and I am working for a university as a International student advisor. I am considering getting an MPA at a noticeable program. Would a MPA prepare me to land me in a policy job or do you think I should try to get into a internship (even though I have to ditch my current job)?

[@yanglu9555]

DD Hong, are you still interested in getting into a MPA program? If you do and have yet get into a program than do let me know.

[@brandonqarana8277]

Hello! Hi, My name is Brandon Qarana and I am a Political Science - Prelaw major with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. I have interned for various public officials, one example being the Mayor of Detroit. I currently work at a public research institute at my university, Michigan State. What do you think about my career path of wanting to become a politician and eventually run for political office for state government? Do you think this is an achieveable goal and what steps do I take to speed up the process of landing a great position? Thanks in advance.

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

Hi Brandon, thank you for your question. I think that you are definitely taking all the right steps from a professional and educational perspective. I would recommend running for a student government position within your University, which will give you exposure into the process of campaigning, building a platform, and garnering votes. Student government also gives you great exposure into the process of working with institutions to carry out your platform should you be successful, building networks and connections with elected officials within your jurisdiction, and it’s great practice on a micro level for when you decide run for political office. If you decide you don’t want to run for student government, I would even recommend joining and getting involved in student government committees, which also offer similar benefits as being on your University’s student government. In terms of steps that you should be taking to set yourself up for success, it seems like you have had great work experiences and are building a very strong resume already. The key is maintaining those contacts that you made within your previous jobs, whether it’s through email, volunteering, or grabbing a coffee with them in the post Covid future. Additionally, ensure that you take advantage of each summer by landing summer student positions in the public sector continuing to build those connections and getting great exposure to the work that’s being done within public sector. I hope that helps!

[@kennedyodhiambo-gp2is]

❤

[@inderpreetkaur1551]

if i move abroad for my post grad and wish to workthere, would I end up with a job in that country,s public sector? or would I have to wait until I am a citizen

[@remsislamus5131]

Hi there, thanks for the video it helped a-lot. I am from London and i am currently taking an undergraduate scheme in Religion, Politics and Society. I have been looking into becoming a Politics analyst and was wondering if i could do this with this degree. Would i have to take an extra year in committing myself to a masters degree so that it is more likely for me to land a job?

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

I wouldn’t say that you have to get more education if you are interested in a specific career. I think finding a career and a specific job posting is the first step, from there you would look to see what kind of experience and education they are seeking. I talk all about this in my how to land your dream job video, I would recommend watching that video. 😊

[@sunatray]

I have a Bachelor in English and Masters in Communication. I already work in public sector although in different field. Can I become a policy analyst with these educational qualifications?

[@123nubbles]

Would you say it's essential to get a master's before you venture into the policy career field? Or is it possible to just with a bachelor's degree get into the policy realm in the public sector?

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

Thank you for your question! I actually address exactly that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKS6YZiedtGDiM0 But basically, no. You can get experience through summer student jobs, or you can get a certificate, there are many different ways to line up your career path without higher education but the key is starting early and being strategic about your time from the minute you step foot in College/University

[@OfficialCheesecake]

Do you think it's necessary to gain data analytic skills? I'm hoping to be a policy analyst for at risk populations :)

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

In my undergraduate and my graduate program I had to take a data analytics course as a requirement. That being said, I have not used it since in my policy areas. You can get into the public sector, or conduct policy work for that policy area without requiring data analytics. My biggest recommendation is going a job search online for a suite of jobs that you would be interested in assuming. In those job postings, you will find out EXACTLY what experience they are seeking, and you can therefore go out and acquire exactly that.

[@isaactprakashprakash6006]

👍

[@jaredfletcher1587]

Could i get into this career with a degree in informatics? Im looking to take some political science classes during the summer

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

The beauty of a career in policy is that policy is required within the public sector across many different policy areas, IT, Communications, Government Relations, etc. :)

[@IM26C4UU]

i had the worst interview experience with metrolinx

[@alycallaghan58]

Are there resume building companies you would suggest? Thanks

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

It’s not so much a company, because those differ from state to state, and country to country. My recommendation however is around what you should look for in a resume building company. I would look for a money back guarantee if you don’t land an interview within x amount of time, look up reviews not just on their Yelp but googling them on platforms like Reddit. I had a terrible experience with one company that had stellar reviews on yelp but then there was an entire thread with other customers that felt disappointed in the final product on Reddit (which I wish I saw before I had hired them). Finally, try to find a package that allows you to speak with the person that is writing your resume before they start going off trying to put something together. A company I worked with that did an AMAZING job on my resume did exactly that, I talked to the resume professional for an hour told him everything about my background and he translated that beautifully into a resume that helped me land my current role actually. So those are some warning signs and some guideposts from my own personal experience. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@inderpreetkaur1551]

also should i go for a post grad or a masters degreee

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

I recently did a video where I address Grad School completely, you can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaLHeaqFoMpspKM

[@simarjitkaur3411]

Inderpreet- a post grad doesn't guarantee anything....try to apply for internships or working in a general role in the public sector...you can find a lot of roles once you begin working.....Policy analysts are great at communications, research....There are many roles that can give you relevant experience.

[@mona-checkoutmychannel7656]

Is a policy analyst the same thing as a political scientist?

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

In my experience, I would say no, though there are overlaps. I would classify a political scientist as a researcher while a policy analyst primarily aims to develop policy.

[@mona-checkoutmychannel7656]

@@yourvirtualmentor9002 oh ok, so the political scientist would do the research for those who want to change policy but they wouldn't actually try to influence or develop policy themselves?

[@yourvirtualmentor9002]

That’s where the overlap comes in because their research definitely influences policy but I think that’s where the lobbying and stakeholder relations piece comes in because they would engage policy makers within all levels of government and indirectly influence policy. That being said, I am not a political scientist, so I can’t speak from a personal perspective only from what I’ve seen second hand or people I know who do this type of work.

[@mona-checkoutmychannel7656]

@@yourvirtualmentor9002 ah ok, thank you

[@faepmagn7]

Networking is just borderline nepotism and I refuse to be part of the problem. The hiring process should be equal, fair, and blindly just.

[@Don_Avogado]

There were no specifics whatsoever in this video. You didn't say where you went to undergrad, what your company does, how long it took you to apply, etc. This is so general it's kinda useless, sorry.