Breaking into tech policy - a few thoughts for you technologists
Starting your career in politics and policy is hard. Starting in tech policy is even harder. I’ve been there.
There’s not a one-stop shop in which to start. Unlike the private sector, very few programs or opportunities have recruiters.
Several times a month I have informational interviews with folks that are interested in either learning about or breaking into tech policy and public interest technology. In an effort to gather the networks and pipelines available to technical folks looking to do public interest work, I wanted to compile a list here.
Note: this list is not regularly updated so apologies in advance if you find a broken link or out-of-date information.
University options:
Hacking for Defense and Hacking for Diplomacy– interdisciplinary programs at a number of universities for students to tackle real-world challenges in partnership with the Department of Defense and Department of State, respectively.
Atlantic Council Cyber 9/12 Challenge – “an annual cyber policy and strategy competition where students from across the globe compete in developing policy recommendations tackling a fictional cyber catastrophe.”
Public Interest Technology University Network – a network of 60+ universities (and growing) that have hubs, courses, or curriculum for working on technology in the public interest.
NSF CyberCorps – Scholarship for service program for cybersecurity professionals
Training programs, volunteer opportunities, and non-resident networks (experience required or necessary varies)
Stanford University Ethics, Technology + Public Policy Course – a virtual fall semester course offered annually for roughly 250 individuals to learn about the intersection of technology and public policy.
Aspen Tech Policy Hub Fellowship – two month training program for technologists and other leaders wanting to learn about public policy
Foundation for American Innovation Policy Hackers Fellowship – a year-long non-resident fellowship for technologists
Internet Education Project Internet Law and Policy Foundry Fellowship – nonresident and informal network of young professionals working in tech policy
Technologists for the Public Good – informal network of tech professionals (including an active Slack) interested in government and the public sector.
Tech for Campaigns – nonprofit that matches technical talent with volunteer opportunities with largely state and local progressive campaigns
Trust and Safety Professionals Association – exactly as it sounds
Integrity Institute – nonprofit that coordinates tech professionals to help solve public policy challenges
Roughly early-career (right out of undergrad up to six years of experience)
Coding it Forward – development and design summer internships at federal agencies and with other government partners
Google Public Policy Fellowship – fully funded internship program to work at a tech policy organization. A huge number of friends have made their way into the DC tech policy world through this program.
US Digital Corps – two-year design, development, or tech policy fellowship at federal agencies
TechCongress Congressional Innovation Fellowship – one year fellowship and training program for computer scientists, engineers, and other technologists to serve with a Member of Congress or congressional committee.
Horizon Institute for Public Service fellowship – one year fellowship program for technologists with backgrounds and interests in artificial intelligence or biosecurity
Roughly mid-career or more experienced (eight years or more)
TechCongress Senior Congressional Innovation Fellowship – one year fellowship and training program for computer scientists, engineers, and other technologists to serve with a Member of Congress or congressional committees.
Presidential Innovation Fellowship – rolling recruitment
US Digital Service – Government office placing technical talent in “‘tours of civic service.”
18F – Government office at the General Services Administration that builds tech products and services.
Department of Homeland Security AI Corps – exactly as it sounds
Tech Talent Project – helps recruit and place technical talent to federal agencies on an ad hoc basis.
Federation for American Scientists – helps recruit and place technical talent to federal agencies on an ad hoc basis.
Other resources:
TechCongress’ Policy Opportunities for Technologists – a monthly list targeted at technologists that are interested in opportunities in public policy. The embedded archive of the jobs list is an excellent way to get a sense of the full range of jobs and orgs in our space.
U.S. Digital Corps resume best practices — exactly what it sounds like
Tom Manatos Jobs — the best job board for opportunities in Congress, which includes a regular email newsletter, run by a former senior staffer for Nancy Pelosi
Emerging Tech Policy Careers – career resources and advice hosted by Horizon Institute for Public Service
80,000 hours – Job board for high impact roles geared to the effective altruism community
Chris Kuang’s (Coding it Forward and US Digital Corps co-founder) blog post on getting started in civic tech
The Bridge – twice weekly newsletter featuring a range of tech policy jobs
All Tech is Human – regular conferences on tech policy related matters
