From Grad Student to Policy Analyst
MPS Alum Jessica Tollestrup finds success with the Congressional Research Service
For many political science grad students, landing a job that allows them to research and write about politics and public policy sounds like a dream scenario. Often, pursuing an academic career can seem like the obvious—or even only—choice.They go on to PhD programs, aiming for professorships where they can keep writing, teaching, and learning more about the subjects they love. Yet when it comes to research jobs, academia is only the tip of the iceberg. From think tanks to government agencies, there is a wide world of career possibilities for avid researchers, budding analysts, and talented writers looking to make a difference in the world of politics.
Jessica Tollestrup has worked as a policy analyst with the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a congressional support agency in the Library of Congress, ever since she graduated from PSU’s political science master’s program in 2010. There, she is responsible for a policy portfolio that includes aspects of the federal budget and appropriations along with a handful of programs at the Department of Health and Human Services. Day-to-day, she conducts research and legislative analysis, writes analytic reports for congressional offices, and is even sometimes asked to brief Members of Congress and their staff—covering anything from a basic overview of funding for a particular agency or program, to a deep dive into pending legislation.
“The legislative support that CRS provides is authoritative, objective, confidential, and often time-sensitive,” Tollestrup said. “It helps individuals in Congress develop policy ideas for future lawmaking, work within their committees to produce legislation, author floor amendments, and conduct oversight of programs or funding after enactment.”
To do her job well, Tollestrup has to be able to understand the detailed mechanics of the programs and laws that she covers, the institutional dynamics that affect how a program is funded, and even potential concerns with the executive branch’s implementation of a program or law. In short, she functions as a go-to expert for her particular, focused field of study—providing an intentionally non-partisan lens to help American policymakers make informed decisions.
It’s fascinating work, and Tollestrup credits her training and education in PSU’s political science master’s program for helping her get there. Early on in the program, Tollestrup’s advisor helped her devise a plan of coursework and long-term projects specifically aimed at supporting her research interests in Congress. Her focus on American politics was bolstered by classes in comparative politics, giving her a broader understanding of the dynamics and structure of legislative institutions beyond American shores. Finally, Tollestrup was able to work as a research assistant in the political science department, giving her valuable experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
“My graduate education helped me gain the academic knowledge and critical thinking skills that have been essential for my work at CRS,” Tollestrup said. “Those two years that I spent in the political science master’s program gave me the foundation that I needed to thrive in my work for Congress today.”
If you want to learn more about research opportunities with the federal government at CRS, email us at polisci@pdx.edu.