In addition to their coursework, policy students develop their professional skills through internships and undergraduate research experiences. For policy majors, at least one internship (for credit or for pay) is required. These internships require a faculty sponsor and must be approved in advance by the undergraduate academic program manager. A chart of faculty research interests is available.
Many students participate in more than one internship during their four years. A very wide range of internships are available to B.S. Public Policy students, with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and in the private sector. Many are part-time and paid; some are full-time for a semester or summer; others are unpaid but can be taken for course credit under the guidance of a faculty member. The School provides career services and resources, including information on dozens of local and national policy internship opportunities through the School's internship database and postings. However many students have found excellent opportunities through their faculty mentors. Examples of recent internships include:
- Georgia General Assembly
- Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist
- US Commission on Civil Rights
- Consulate of Israel
- GTRI Office of Policy Analysis and Research
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund
- Michelin Tire (environmental policy)
- British Trade and Investment Office
- Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs
- Georgia Board of Regents
- Law firms
- Clean Air Campaign
- Georgia Department of Economic Development
Georgia Tech offers two unique policy internships for students. For those interested in Georgia politics, legislation, and policies, Georgia Tech offers the Georgia Legislative Intern Program through its Office of Government & Community Relations. This office also provides a special policy internship for students interested in national politics, legislation, and policies, the Georgia Tech D.C. Internship.
Research Experiences
Undergraduate policy majors are also encouraged to engage in research. Many students propose independent research projects based on their personal or professional interests, while others work with professors on their research projects. Undergraduate students working with faculty have co-authored papers that have been published in academic journals and presented their collaborative or solo work at numerous conferences. In some cases, students can receive a stipend; other students prefer to receive academic credit. In recent years, undergraduate research topics have included:
- Parents' decision-making on children's health issues
- Young adults' attitudes toward religion and science
- Coalition strategies in social movements
- Analysis of the tristate (Georgia, Alabama, Florida) water conflict
- Impacts of world summits on the information society
- Patterns of homelessness in Atlanta
- Modeling variability of exposures and asthma responses
- Impacts of community information infrastructures on economic development