Careers in Politics, Social Policy and International Relations –
a resource guide
This leaflet is not a comprehensive guide to the field. It has been produced to give
students some starting points.
The Careers Advisory Service can provide help to all students regardless of the area
of work they wish to go into. You might get the impression that we only deal with
careers in the commercial world because it is these employers who have the biggest
budgets to promote themselves on campus. This leaflet is designed to help those
students who are studying Politics with Economics/IR or studying courses in the
department of Social and Policy Science. It is focused on areas of work which may
reflect your subject knowledge. It will also be of help to those students who have an
interest in careers in politics and social policy but who may not have studied the
subjects.
There are only a small number of formal graduate training schemes in this area
however there are a larger number of jobs. The likelihood is that you will make your
career in these areas by building up experience on the job and/or taking a series of
jobs. This does not mean that the experience you gain will be inferior. Most
employers are committed to staff development and provide opportunities for their
staff to go on courses whilst developing their skills through real work experience.
Graduate training schemes, in fact, form only a small part of the jobs available to any
graduates and are far from the norm you might expect. There are many interesting
jobs you can apply for and hopefully the resources listed here will open your eyes to
the opportunities. Remember that talking to people doing the job which interests you
will enhance your understanding of what you need to do to achieve the same role
yourself. Learning the art of networking is key to your success.
GENERAL READING
We hold a full range of occupational information so that you can research your
potential career in detail - head for the blue files in the Information Room. The
information in these files will tell you what graduate opportunities exist in a certain
field of work, how to get in, typical salaries, and further sources of information and
advice.
You can view our catalogue of resources for occupational research and working &
studying overseas. Click on Catalogue on our Home Page www.bath.ac.uk/careers.
Look up occupational research and then under one of the headings of interest. Here
are some obvious suggestions:
• Administration
• Charity and Development Work
• Public Sector
• Social, Guidance and Community work
• Advertising, PR and Marketing
Occupational Profiles are core reading. You can read or print copies of the profiles in
the Information Room or view them in the Explore types of jobs section of
www.prospects.ac.uk . They include links to professional bodies' sites, which are an

excellent source of information about your potential career. Some profiles of interest
might include:
• Civil Service Administrator
• Civil Service Fast Streamer
• Diplomatic Service Operational Officer
• European Commission Administrator
• Government Research Officer
• Health Service Manager
• Intelligence Analyst/Officer
• International Organisations Manager
• Local Government Officer
• Political Party Agent
• Political research assistant
• Politician's assistant
• Press officer
• Public affairs consultant
• Social researcher
• Trade union research officer
Also on www.prospects.ac.uk site, Industry Insights give you an overview of roles
within a sector. In particular you may find the following useful:
• Advertising, Marketing and PR
• Charity and Development Work
• Education
• Government and Public Administration
• Health
In the Careers Advisory Service Graduate, our Contacts List provides contact
information for Bath graduates who are willing to talk to current Bath students about
working for their employer, and what's involved in their job.
Bath careers podcasts on our website include a selection of Bath graduates working
in more unusual roles who talk about how they got into their jobs and what their work
involves.
Other useful resources for general reading include:
Target Jobs – Public Service
http://targetjobs.co.uk/public-service/default.aspx - Careers Advisory Service also
has copies of the associated book to give away at certain times of the year.
Electus-Start
www.electus-start.com - a guide to a career in politics and public affairs in the UK
and European Union includes jobs and advice. Not as comprehensive as it might be
but a useful overview.
The Politican’s Apprentice
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2004/jul/22/studentpolitics.highereducation
– article from the Guardian about graduate routes into politics
Politico’s Guide to Careers in Politics & Government
By Sally Gillman, Politico’s Publishing, 2001.- No longer in print but worth laying your
hands on this.
Policy Jobs
www.policyjobs.net - Public policy jobs and internships, includes think tank directory.
US focus.

Political Jobs
www.politicaljobs.net - Listings for positions around the world.
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society - worth browsing Wednesday issue for more
senior jobs you can aspire to.
WORKING IN UK GOVERNMENT
Jobs Online is the website of the Civil Service http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs.
This site is supposed to capture all vacancies within the Civil Service. You should
look at the Fast Stream section as well as the section for Undergraduates and
Graduates. Graduates also join departments directly by applying for individual posts
as they are advertised on this site. It is then possible to apply to the Civil Service Fast
Stream as an internal candidate.
WORKING IN UK LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Local Government Careers
www.lgcareers.com/ - general website which includes a where to look for jobs section
and a section especially for graduates.
National Graduate Development Programme
www.ngdp.co.uk – two year programme including rotations in host council and
Postgraduate Diploma at Warwick University.
Regional Development Agencies
www.englandsrdas.com – responsible for regeneration and sustainable development
in nine UK regions. Apply direct for advertised posts
A-Z of central government departments, executive agencies and non-
departmental public bodies
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/A-ZOfCentralGovernment/index.htm - helpful if
you want to target particular departments or just want to know the scope of the Civil
Service and its agencies.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
NHS Management Schemes
http://www.nhsgraduates.co.uk/
Adult Social Care Graduate Management Trainee Scheme
http://www.skillsacademyforsocialcare.org.uk/graduatescheme/index.asp - new in
2009. The scheme, which is being supported of the Department of Health, provides a
year of management and leadership experience for 20 recent graduates, hosted by
one of 20 employers from the private, voluntary and statutory sectors across
England. Not open to those qualifying in Social Work. In 2009 it closed in June.
WORKING IN WESTMINSTER
UK Parliament Jobs
www.parliament.uk/useful/job_opportunities.cfm -
listings of all parliamentary positions, and also an email job alert to sign up for.
Work for an MP
www.w4mp.org – jobs listing for working in parliament (and not just for jobs with
MPs). Also Includes think tanks, lobby groups etc. • Students wanting to work for an
MP should also contact political party headquarters to find out about any available
opportunities see http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page205 for a list.
The House Magazine
www.housemag.co.uk –
weekly publication for the Houses of Parliament for those interested in legislation and
policy

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND LOBBYING
Public Affairs Links
http://www.publicaffairslinks.co.uk/ - website for careers in the lobbying industry.
International.
The Public Affairs Network
http://www.publicaffairsnetworking.com/ - network and leading resource for the public
affairs, government relations, policy & communications industry
Association of Professional Political Consultancies
www.appc.org.uk
Directory of political lobbying by Justin Johnson, Politico’s Publishing, 2002 -
list of political consultancies, their staff and clients.
Politico’s Guide to Political Lobbying by Charles Miller, Politico’s Publishing,
2000.
THINK TANKS
One way to work in the political sphere – and to get experience – is to work for a
think tank. Think tanks conduct research and publish on a range of domestic or
international policy issues, some specialising in particular areas. There are many
think tanks in the UK and abroad. Notable organisations which offer internships
include Demos www.demos.co.uk, the Institute of Public Policy Research
www.ippr.org.uk , the Foreign Policy Centre www.fpc.org and Chatham House http://
www.chathamhouse.org.uk/. Other lists can be found at:
Policy Research Think Tanks in the UK – a select list
http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/files/pdf/thinktanks.pdf
World Think Tanks
http://www.policyjobs.net/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=807&Itemid=446
The Leading Public Policy Research Organizations In The World
http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/files/pdf/leading_think_tanks_in_the_world.pdf
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_think_tanks - looks a good list!
Article from Kings College Careers Service
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/admin/acareg/careers/students/resources/third/n
otforprofit2.html
SOCIAL RESEARCH
Social Researcher Job Profile
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/socres
Directory of social research organisations in the United Kingdom
book available at the Careers Advisory Service
Government Social Research Service
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/professional/gsr/
Social Research Association
http://www.the-sra.org.uk/careers.htm - careers page
Social Policy Research Centres and Institutes
http://www.globalwelfare.net/links.htm#research
UK Social Policy Association
http://www.social-policy.com/ - also includes links to similar associations outside the
UK
Jobs.ac.uk
www.jobs.ac.uk – a site that includes jobs in universities as well as research
institutes.

EUROPEAN UNION
Work for the EU
http://europa.eu/about-eu/working-eu-institutions/index_en.htm - this includes how to
work for the individual institutions as well as traineeships (the most common route for
new graduates) which are available.
Meet our Colleagues
http://europa.eu/epso/discover/careers/meet_our_colleagues/index_en.htm - loads of
profiles of people who work in the EU Institutions.
Discover EU Careers
http://europa.eu/epso/discover/index_en.htm - there is an EU Careers information
sheet linked on this page plus links to selection procedures including sample tests.
Apply Here
http://europa.eu/epso/apply/index_en.htm - gives information about current
recruitment competitions
UK Civil Service European Fast Stream
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/FastStream/GraduateFastStream/EFS.aspx –
working for the UK government on European issues
EU Delegation of the EC to the US - Internships
http://www.eurunion.org/eu/images/PDF/InternBrochure.pdf –
for students and recent graduates based in Washington, offered three times a year.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/working-for-us/
Department for International Development
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Working-for-DFID1/.
I Want To Work In An International Organisation
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/internationalorg.htm - excellent resource from
University of Kent Careers Service.
PEACE AND CONFLICT
Developing a Career in International Peace and Conflict Resolution
http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/files/pdf/ACT_ConflictResolution.pdf
NGOS AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONS
There are a large number of development websites and other resources out there so
where do you start? Here are a few starting points. The Careers Advisory Service
has information on our website:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/careers/catalogue/occupational.html#charities
In particular I recommend:
Working in Development published by World Service Enquiry
Excellent careers advice for anyone wanting to get into this area. Reference copy
available at Careers Advisory Service. Available from
http://www.wse.org.uk/core/wid.htm for £10.99 incl pp
Volunteering for Development another WSE publication with a fantastic list of
organisations offering opportunities as well as useful careers advice. Reference copy
available at Careers Advisory Service. Available from
http://www.wse.org.uk/guides/vol.htm for £9.25 incl pp
Opportunities Abroad listing the latest aid, development and faith agencies
vacancies is subscribed to by the Careers Advisory Service. Now includes a section

on entry level positions. Campus access only:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/careers/springboard.bho/wse.html
University of Sussex CDEC web pages on International Development link to
information and advice on areas like NGOs, graduate schemes, Consulting Firms,
Development courses, careers advice, and job listings.
www.sussex.ac.uk/cdec/careers_path.php?carpath=15&carsection=4
University of London “Getting into International Development” web pages
http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/output/Page615.asp .
Experiencedevelopment.org acts as a portal to information on many different
aspects of development www.experiencedevelopment.org/
Development Courses Guide www.devstud.org.uk/directories/course/
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human Rights Opportunities by Sophia Pickles, SOAS University of London
2006
http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/files/pdf/SOASHumanRights.pdf
I Want to Work in Human Rights
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/humanrights.htm - another excellent resource
from University of Kent Careers Service.
POLITICAL RISK
Working in Risk
www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/admin/acareg/careers/students/course/sspp/risk.html
- a resource from Kings College Careers Service
Financial Risk Analyst Job Profile
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/RiskAnalyst/ - not dealing specifically with political risk,
but a good place to start
If you find any really useful websites you would like to share please contact me at
s.a.briault@bath.ac.uk. November 2009