Government, Law, Policy, & International Affairs

As part of this community, we’ll explore careers that handle all aspects of creating, passing, implementing, and enforcing laws and policies. People who work in government, law, policy, and international affairs are passionate about affecting change. They focus on serving the public good at the local, state, federal, and international level. 

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Heather DeLand

Career Specialist

Heather DeLand, Ph.D.

Heather DeLand, the career specialist for government, law, policy, and international affairs, has years of experience working with students as they enter each of those professional industries. Heather was an internships and careers coordinator and taught courses on career development, intersectionality, writing, and history at UMass Amherst. She brought her passion for hosting programs and collaborating with students to Smith when she joined the Lazarus Center in 2023. Heather has a Ph.D. from UMass Amherst, an M.A. from the University of North Florida, and a B.A. from the University of Florida.

Contact Heather

In Action

Smith students listen to public affairs officials in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room during a visit to the Pentagon hosted by Honorable Laura Taylor-Kale '00, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.

Smith students listen to public affairs officials in the Pentagon Press Briefing Room during a visit to the Pentagon hosted by Honorable Laura Taylor-Kale '00, assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.
During a career trek to Washington DC in July 2024, students toured the U.S. Capitol and attended a panel discussion with Smith alums who are currently working in Congress.

During a career trek to Washington DC in July 2024, students toured the U.S. Capitol and attended a panel discussion with Smith alums who are currently working in Congress.
Assistant professor Brent Durbin moderates a panel of Smithies working in Washington DC at the home of Susan Rosenbaum '67, who hosted current students and alums for dinner and networking.

Assistant professor Brent Durbin moderates a panel of Smithies working in Washington DC at the home of Susan Rosenbaum '67, who hosted current students and alums for dinner and networking.
In fall 2023, members of the career community spent a day at Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law touring the campus, attending a seminar, and having lunch with Smith alums who are currently attending WNEU School of Law.

In fall 2023, members of the career community spent a day at Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law touring the campus, attending a seminar, and having lunch with Smith alums who are currently attending WNEU School of Law.
Heather DeLand (right), career specialist, meets with Iris Liu '27, an active member of the Government, Law, Policy, & International Affairs career community.

Heather DeLand (right), career specialist, meets with Iris Liu '27, an active member of the Government, Law, Policy, & International Affairs career community.

Drop-In Hours

Heather and Anna Silverstein, assistant director of graduate & professional school advising, host "Get-It-Done Wednesdays." Grab your lunch and join us for a power hour of co-working and conversations in Campus Center, Room 102.
Wednesday, September 11, noon–1 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9, noon–1 p.m.
Wednesday, November 6, noon–1 p.m.
Wednesday, December 4, noon–1 p.m.

Resources

Job Boards

USAJOBS.gov - The federal government's official site for entry-level and experienced job hunters.

Idealist.org - Comprehensive non-profit job resource. Keyword for organizations, jobs, and internships in public policy and by policy issue.

Public Service Careers - Opportunities, advice, and links in government, policy, NGOs, and more.

Brookings Institution - nonprofit public policy research organization based in Washington, DC.

Carter Center Internship Program - A nongovernmental non-profit with the goal of advancing human rights and alleviatinbg human suffering. Paid summer internships through a number of programs and offices within three broad areas: Peace, Health and Operations.

Center for Strategic and International Studies - full-time and part-time internships in Public Policy.

Professional Organizations 

Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

American Society for Public Administration

Engaging Local Government Leaders

Additional Resources

Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) aims to increase the number of women in top leadership positions influencing all aspects of the public policy process.

Partnership for Public Service nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that strives for a more effective government for the American people.

GovLoop We aim to inspire public sector professionals to better service by acting as the knowledge network for government.

Job Boards

International Affairs Jobs

United Nations Careers

GoinGlobal helps job and internship seekers find opportunities both at home and abroad. Features career & city guides, job & internship search, employer directory, searchable H1B Visa information and more. Access GoinGlobal for FREE on any on-campus device: online.goinglobal.com and create an account. Off-campus users login via Handshake.

Council on Foreign Relations -  independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher focused on foreign policy. See available internships

U.S. Department of State - Internships & fellowships in U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy

Professional Organizations

Black Professionals in International Affairs

Society for International Affairs

Association of Women in International Trade

Washington International Trade Association (WITA) Young Trade Professionals

Additional Resources

U.S. Department of State

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

National Council of International Trade Development Scholarships for Undergraduates and Graduate Students

Job Boards

National Association for Law Placement

Paralegal Jobs Board

Professional Organizations

American Bar Association - For lawyers, law students, and those interested in the legal profession.

National Association of Women Lawyers

American Society of International Law

National Federation of Paralegal Associations

Additional Resources

Equal Justice Works
LSAC.org - Law School Admission Council. Check out upcoming events, LSAT information, application procedures, law school sites, and more.

The National Security Law Podcast

SCOTUS Blog

Oyez Supreme Court of the United States archive: has recordings of all oral arguments, summaries of case arguments/court’s opinion, and breakdown of how the justices sided.

Community Engagement & Social Change Concentration students combine interdisciplinary coursework and practical work in communities to expand and deepen your understanding of local, national and global issues that affect communities.

The Jean Picker Semester-in-Washington Program is a first-semester program open to Smith junior and senior government majors and to other Smith juniors and seniors with appropriate background in the social sciences. It provides students with an opportunity to study processes by which public policy is made and implemented at the national level

The Smith College Fellowships Program advises Smith students and recent alumnae who wish to apply for competitive national and international fellowships.

Graduate & Professional School is this the next step for you?

Student Clubs & Organizations 

More from the Lazarus Center

Lazarus Center for Career Development Youtube Channel

Diversity Resources

International Students Resources 

Additional Handouts, Webinars, Podcasts, Videos

This is your community...

if you’d like to work as an...
 

advocate, arbitrator, attorney, clerk, chief of staff, contract specialist, diplomat, elected official, foreign affairs officer, government adviser, judge, paralegal, prosecutor, policy analyst

 
or any other job that serves the public good!

Going Places

Nicole Teo ’24J

Nicole Teo ’24J talks about her experience interning at the nation’s highest court

Nicole Teo

Charlotte Cox ’22

Charlotte Cox '22 came with an open mind but gravitated toward government, hoping to one day work on a successful presidential campaign.

Heshani Wijemanne ’08

Heshani Wijemanne ’08 talks about her early career in government and how she became the engrossing and enrolling clerk for the California State Senate.

Headshot of Heshani Wijemanne ’08