Careers in Public Policy and the Think Tank World

Justin Wolfers, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, took part in the Think Tank Diversity Consortium's (TTDC) first Careers in Public Policy event on May 9, 2015, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP). As part of the TTDC's mission to increase diversity in the think tank and public policy arena, the event was held to offer high school and first-year college students in the Washington area an opportunity to learn from researchers at internationally known organizations how to prepare for a career in public policy. Wolfers's key advice was to become an expert on one specific issue rather than mediocre in several fields. While economics is not the only option, policymakers are especially interested in advice from economists. Beyond the think tank sector, Wolfers suggested international institutions, media and publishing, and academia as other rewarding options for young scholars interested in pursuing a career in public policy. Human resource directors from the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Brookings Institution, and CEIP cochaired the event.