What Can I Do with a Major in
Public Policy?
Overview of Major
The Bachelor of Science in Public Policy (BSPP) provides strong analytical, communication, management, and leadership
skills to students seeking careers in public service, law, and the private sector -- sectors in which professionals need to
understand how government works, and can be helped to work better. These skills are coupled with a solid understanding
of the complex political, social, ethical, and economic forces that shape public problems and their solutions.
The BSPP program has a strong focus on critical thinking and analytic skills in multiple disciplines. The BSPP core
curriculum provides a solid foundation in areas such as economics, organizational behavior, politics, and philosophy, then
emphasizes problem-solving and analysis. At the same time, students choose two clusters in particular areas of policy to
gain breadth and depth, and they can use their many free electives to build greater strengths in policy, law, philosophy, or
political science -- or they can pursue a minor or certificate in language, economics, international affairs, history,
management, etc.
Common job titles & tied to employer name
Title
Employer
Associate Director - Economic Development
Georgia Institute of Technology
Business Integrity Associate
Facebook
Data Engineer
Oncology Analytics, Inc
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
City of Atlanta
Government Affairs Intern
Metro Atlanta Chamber
Growth Manager
Civic Dinners
Health Policy Fellow
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Knowledge Analyst, Global Advantage
The Boston Consulting Group
Lead Business Program Specialist
Deloitte
Legal Assistant
Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP
Legal Intern
United States Attorneys' Offices
Legislative Aid
Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives
News Assistant
PBS NewsHour
Policy & Government Relations Intern
Deloitte
Public Health Analyst
Chenega Corporation
Public Health Associate
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Services Management Consultant
Accenture
Research Analyst
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Senior Design Policy Analyst
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Technology Innovation Management Intern
Chick-fil-A Corporate
Common Career Areas
Area/Industry
Paths
Employers
Business
Sales
Human Resources
Management
Public Relations
Market Research
Customer Service
Product and Service Organizations
Retail Stores
Hotels
Restaurants
Manufacturers
Insurance Companies
Federal Government
Public Policy
Research
Intelligence
Foreign Service
Law Enforcement
General Services
There are over 170 federal departments and
agencies.
Health Policy
Research
Policy analysis
Policy development
Legislative work
Lobbying
Hospitals, Health Systems, and Clinics
Medical Groups
Hospices
Home Health Agencies
Long-Term Care Facilities
Mental Health Facilities
Managed Care Organizations
Health Finance Organizations
Insurance companies
Law
Law Assistance
Prosecution
Defense
Contractual
Corporate
Non-Profit or Public Interest
Law Firms
State and Local Government
Corporations
Public Interest Organizations
Local and State Government
Public Policy
City or Town Management
Legislative, Executive, or
Judicial Services
Program Administration
General Services
Counties
Cities
Municipalities
Townships
School Districts
Departments of State Government
Non-Profit
Administration
Management
Fund Raising/Development
Policy Analysis
Research
Local and National Non-Profit Agencies
Charitable Organizations
Trade or Professional Associations
Foundations
Special Interest Groups
Labor Unions
Libraries
Politics
Elected or Appointed
Leadership
Campaign Management
Staff Administration
Special Interest Advocacy
Political Advising
Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Officials
National, State, or Local Government
Campaigns: National, State, or Local
Industrial, Educational, and Public Interest
Groups
Lobbying Organizations
Regional and Urban Planning
Transportation
Demography
Federal, State, and Local Government
Local planning agencies
Housing
Community Development
Program Development
Historic Preservation
Urban Design
Architecture
Real Estate and Development Contractors
Investment Companies
Transportation Agencies
Zoning Administration
Utility Companies
Student Organizations
• Citizens Climate Lobby - https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ccl
• International Ambassadors - https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/international-ambassadors
• Georgia Tech Organizations - https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations
• North Avenue Review - https://northavereview.com/
• Student Government Association - https://www.sga.gatech.edu
• Turning Point USA - https://gatech.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/tpusa
Campus Resources
• Career Center- https://career.gatech.edu/
• Office of Minority Education & Development- https://omed.gatech.edu/
• Office of International Education- https://oie.gatech.edu/
• Office of Undergraduate Research - http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu/
• Pre-Graduate and Pre- Professional Advising- http://www.prehealth.gatech.edu/pre-health-advising-welcome
• Student Activities- https://www.gatech.edu/life/student-activities
• Disability Resource Center - https://disabilityservices.gatech.edu/
Online Resources
• Jobs & Employment
o Federal - https://www.usajobs.gov//
o State - https://careers.state.gov/
o Non-Profit - https://idealist.org/, https://www.devex.com/
o Public Service Careers - https://publicservicecareers.org/
o Public Affairs Council - https://pac.org/
• ONET & Occupational Outlook Career Research
o Homepage - https://www.onetonline.org/
o Bureau of Labor and Statistics Homepage - https://www.bls.gov/
• Professional Associations
o American Political Science Association - https://www.apsanet.org/
o Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management - https://www.appam.org/
o International Association for Political Science Students - https://iapss.org/
o American Association of Political Consultants - https://www.theaapc.org/
o Association of Government Relations Professionals - https://grprofessionals.org/
o Association County Commissioners of Georgia - https://www.accg.org/
• Additional Resources
o Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Homepage - Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Homepage -
https://iac.gatech.edu/
o School of Public Policy Homepage - https://spp.gatech.edu/
o School of Public Policy Degree - https://spp.gatech.edu/undergraduate
o Information on Government Careers - https://gogovernment.org/
o Career Interviews - https://www.candidcareer.com/
o Career Intelligence - https://access.vault.com/
