GPP Podcast: Career Coaching for Budding Advocates, Politicos, Policy Wonks & Social Entrepreneurs Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:17:28 -0500 http://careers.wustl.edu en-us © 2026 GPP Podcast: Career Coaching for Budding Advocates, Politicos, Policy Wonks & Social Entrepreneurs yes d95112cb-b61b-5572-80a8-8f07d3d599d8 Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig episodic false Are you a burgeoning policy wonk, politico, change agent, advocate, or public sector or nonprofit leader? Dreaming of being a diplomat, running for office, or founding a nonprofit? The Washington University in St. Louis Career Center has you covered. Join Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig, lecturers in international affairs and co-directors of the WashU Career Center's Government and Public Policy Work Group (GPP), to assess, explore, search, and launch a career in the complex and, too often, opaque world of government, policy, nonprofits, and advocacy.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) diplomacy, international, policy, politics, government, career, job, internship, advocacy, nonprofit, development, Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig https://storage.buzzsprout.com/g4c4yr3dpxc74ggpr9468dwo44sz?.jpg GPP Podcast: Career Coaching for Budding Advocates, Politicos, Policy Wonks & Social Entrepreneurs http://careers.wustl.edu Salary Negotiation Salary Negotiation Career consultant Andy Harber joins fellow coach Susan Craig to discuss how to negotiate a starting salary in the mission-driven world. 

Some of the resources they discuss include:

Also, acronym alert! The CCE stands for the Center for Career Engagement. 

]]> Career consultant Andy Harber joins fellow coach Susan Craig to discuss how to negotiate a starting salary in the mission-driven world. 

Some of the resources they discuss include:

Also, acronym alert! The CCE stands for the Center for Career Engagement. 

]]> Buzzsprout-17517335 Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:00:00 -0500 728 full false Social Work Licensure Social Work Licensure MAY 2026 UPDATE: This process is changing, and fast! The Association of Social Work Boards offers updates - and we'll refresh this episode as soon as we get our head around it. 

Career coach Amber Brown joins Susan to discuss the ins and outs of obtaining a Social Work license. Check out the resources mentioned in the episode:

Association of Social Work Boards - click "getting ready for the exam" for process, cost and timeline specifics

This is information specific to getting a license in Missouri

Here's the study guide Amber recommends: Social Work Licensing Masters Practice Test




]]> MAY 2026 UPDATE: This process is changing, and fast! The Association of Social Work Boards offers updates - and we'll refresh this episode as soon as we get our head around it. 

Career coach Amber Brown joins Susan to discuss the ins and outs of obtaining a Social Work license. Check out the resources mentioned in the episode:

Association of Social Work Boards - click "getting ready for the exam" for process, cost and timeline specifics

This is information specific to getting a license in Missouri

Here's the study guide Amber recommends: Social Work Licensing Masters Practice Test




]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-15898455 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0500 1000 full false The Scoop on Fellowships The Scoop on Fellowships Dean Megan Peabody joins Susan to share her thoughts on fellowships. She has great advice on when and how to think about fellowships, where to find them and a few you may never have heard of!

Learn more about WashU's application process and many (but not all!) fellowships available here: https://fellowshipsoffice.wustl.edu/

]]> Dean Megan Peabody joins Susan to share her thoughts on fellowships. She has great advice on when and how to think about fellowships, where to find them and a few you may never have heard of!

Learn more about WashU's application process and many (but not all!) fellowships available here: https://fellowshipsoffice.wustl.edu/

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-15690776 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:00:00 -0500 1328 3 2 full false Thinking about Law School Thinking about Law School Are you law school curious? Join Susan and special guest Ahmar Ursani to learn about how to think about and prepare for the possibility.

Here are some of the resources referenced:
WashU Pre-Law Advising - sign up for the emails!
Law School Admission Council




]]> Are you law school curious? Join Susan and special guest Ahmar Ursani to learn about how to think about and prepare for the possibility.

Here are some of the resources referenced:
WashU Pre-Law Advising - sign up for the emails!
Law School Admission Council




]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-14496156 Tue, 13 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0600 1039 3 1 full false How to Make the Most of Your Summer How to Make the Most of Your Summer In this short episode, Amy and Susan offer a few tips for how to learn about yourself, your interests, and what environment you work best in while you're doing whatever it is you're doing this summer.  

Here's the website we mention: https://careers.washu.edu/channels/professional-conduct/



]]> In this short episode, Amy and Susan offer a few tips for how to learn about yourself, your interests, and what environment you work best in while you're doing whatever it is you're doing this summer.  

Here's the website we mention: https://careers.washu.edu/channels/professional-conduct/



]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-13219148 Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0500 544 2 3 full false Offers Offers 2026 Update: Also check out our episode with Andy Harber on salary negotiation.

In this episode, Amy and Susan share tips on handling offers for internships and jobs in government, policy, advocacy, nonprofits, and international affairs. Some resources you might consider using:

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS 7 is the rate most undergraduates will enter at while graduate students will enter at GS 9 for MA/MS/Law and GS 11 for PhD).
National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Data: Note that this is not specific to GPP fields.
Pew Research on Gender Pay Gaps
US Census QWI Explorer

]]> 2026 Update: Also check out our episode with Andy Harber on salary negotiation.

In this episode, Amy and Susan share tips on handling offers for internships and jobs in government, policy, advocacy, nonprofits, and international affairs. Some resources you might consider using:

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS 7 is the rate most undergraduates will enter at while graduate students will enter at GS 9 for MA/MS/Law and GS 11 for PhD).
National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Data: Note that this is not specific to GPP fields.
Pew Research on Gender Pay Gaps
US Census QWI Explorer

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-10375794 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0500 1020 2 2 full false LinkedIn: Profiles and Tips LinkedIn: Profiles and Tips Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Wondering how to get more out of the platform? You can mine it for much more than internship listings, but first you should be your profile in order. Amy and Susan provide tips and tricks to getting the most out of LinkedIn.

LinkedIn offers it own course on how to get started as a student as well! 

Once you're set up, join us in one of our GPSi communities:

Also, WashU CNX is our own private LinkedIn for WashU students and alums. You can bring your LI profile over and find willing connections! It's a smaller pond, but those who are there are interested in being a resource. 

]]> Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Wondering how to get more out of the platform? You can mine it for much more than internship listings, but first you should be your profile in order. Amy and Susan provide tips and tricks to getting the most out of LinkedIn.

LinkedIn offers it own course on how to get started as a student as well! 

Once you're set up, join us in one of our GPSi communities:

Also, WashU CNX is our own private LinkedIn for WashU students and alums. You can bring your LI profile over and find willing connections! It's a smaller pond, but those who are there are interested in being a resource. 

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-9553985 Mon, 15 Nov 2021 17:00:00 -0600 761 2 1 full false Figuring Out and Charting Your Path in a Career in Government, Policy & Social Impact Figuring Out and Charting Your Path in a Career in Government, Policy & Social Impact How do you figure out your path when careers in government, policy and social impact are remote and opaque, sometimes intentionally so? This episode was recorded at a workshop Amy gave in 2021 on how to explore these career paths. While perhaps not as slick as our other podcasts, it's jam-packed with insights and is a great first step for anyone from a first year to an alum. Careers only make sense in retrospect, but take your first step toward a dynamic career by listening to and taking one action step from this episode.

Amy is no longer able to work due to ongoing health issues, so we're keeping this episode unedited as a way to honor her. She is the visionary who continues to inform the Government, Policy & Social Impact Career Community's work! And this workshop really encapsulates some of her best insights. 

]]> How do you figure out your path when careers in government, policy and social impact are remote and opaque, sometimes intentionally so? This episode was recorded at a workshop Amy gave in 2021 on how to explore these career paths. While perhaps not as slick as our other podcasts, it's jam-packed with insights and is a great first step for anyone from a first year to an alum. Careers only make sense in retrospect, but take your first step toward a dynamic career by listening to and taking one action step from this episode.

Amy is no longer able to work due to ongoing health issues, so we're keeping this episode unedited as a way to honor her. She is the visionary who continues to inform the Government, Policy & Social Impact Career Community's work! And this workshop really encapsulates some of her best insights. 

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-9518176 Tue, 09 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0600 1508 2 1 full false All About Interviews All About Interviews 2026 Updates: Amy and Susan recorded this in COVID times - but much of the virtual interviewing practices remain! We no longer have the live chat option - but you can always drop in to the Center for Career Engagement for some quick interview prep, M-F 9-5. Also, that next episode we meant to record? Never got there...(it was COVID times!)

Amy and Susan provide insight and skills to help you prepare for your interview and land that internship or job. Whether it's your first interview or your tenth, there is something here for you.

Here are additional resources from the WashU's Center for Career Engagement, including the Big Interview resource mentioned in the podcast.

]]> 2026 Updates: Amy and Susan recorded this in COVID times - but much of the virtual interviewing practices remain! We no longer have the live chat option - but you can always drop in to the Center for Career Engagement for some quick interview prep, M-F 9-5. Also, that next episode we meant to record? Never got there...(it was COVID times!)

Amy and Susan provide insight and skills to help you prepare for your interview and land that internship or job. Whether it's your first interview or your tenth, there is something here for you.

Here are additional resources from the WashU's Center for Career Engagement, including the Big Interview resource mentioned in the podcast.

]]> Buzzsprout-8292616 Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:00:00 -0500 1213 1 10 full false Just for Parents! Just for Parents! 2026 Update: Our career expo (formerly the career fair) now attracts a lot of nonprofits, grad programs and social impact orgs that may interest your student! We also host our own Changemakers Summit in the spring in which we invite local changemakers to campus.

Our 2021 grads asked us to produce an episode just for the parents, family, and friends of students interested in government, policy, advocacy, nonprofit, or international affairs. Amy and Susan explain what you need to know to best support your student! 

]]> 2026 Update: Our career expo (formerly the career fair) now attracts a lot of nonprofits, grad programs and social impact orgs that may interest your student! We also host our own Changemakers Summit in the spring in which we invite local changemakers to campus.

Our 2021 grads asked us to produce an episode just for the parents, family, and friends of students interested in government, policy, advocacy, nonprofit, or international affairs. Amy and Susan explain what you need to know to best support your student! 

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-8102054 Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:00:00 -0600 728 1 9 full false All About Writing Samples All About Writing Samples 2026 Updates: We no longer have the chat function for on-demand career peer support, but you can bring your writing samples to our weekly pop-ins, or ask a career peer to review it anytime M-F between 9-5. 

Many applications ask you to submit a writing sample with your resume and cover letter. What should you send? Amy and Susan discuss your options, how to interpret what the hiring manager is looking for, and how to prepare in advance so that you're ready when the application (finally) opens.


]]> 2026 Updates: We no longer have the chat function for on-demand career peer support, but you can bring your writing samples to our weekly pop-ins, or ask a career peer to review it anytime M-F between 9-5. 

Many applications ask you to submit a writing sample with your resume and cover letter. What should you send? Amy and Susan discuss your options, how to interpret what the hiring manager is looking for, and how to prepare in advance so that you're ready when the application (finally) opens.


]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-8082713 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0600 683 1 8 full false How to Write Amazing Cover Letters How to Write Amazing Cover Letters 2026 Updates: This is our most popular episode! We share it un-edited. The TL; DR: the cover letter is as much about the organization you're applying to as it is about you. Do the work to take your cover letter from good to great. It's a really important way to demonstrate you're REAL and not AI.

In this episode we talk about how to make your cover letter stand out from the stack. We'll offer some tips so that your cover letter is as much about the organization you're applying to as it is about you, demonstrates your commitment to the organization's mission, and reflects holistically on how your experiences relate to the job to which you're applying. Writing cover letters is not easy! We're here to help.

Here is the resource we reference:
Resume and Cover Letter Handout

]]> 2026 Updates: This is our most popular episode! We share it un-edited. The TL; DR: the cover letter is as much about the organization you're applying to as it is about you. Do the work to take your cover letter from good to great. It's a really important way to demonstrate you're REAL and not AI.

In this episode we talk about how to make your cover letter stand out from the stack. We'll offer some tips so that your cover letter is as much about the organization you're applying to as it is about you, demonstrates your commitment to the organization's mission, and reflects holistically on how your experiences relate to the job to which you're applying. Writing cover letters is not easy! We're here to help.

Here is the resource we reference:
Resume and Cover Letter Handout

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-7773952 Tue, 09 Feb 2021 16:00:00 -0600 869 1 7 full false Search Strategies Part 4: Listings & Job Boards Search Strategies Part 4: Listings & Job Boards 2026 Update: Careerlink is now Handshake! And the info formerly found on Canvas is now our website, where you will find these additional job boards: 

When you imagine yourself searching for a job or internship, you likely see yourself scrolling through listings on a job board, but surprise! This isn't the most effective use of your limited time. You should be selective about the job boards and limit the amount of time you spend on them. We'll tell you more in the final episode of our series on internship and job search strategies. 

Some resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> 2026 Update: Careerlink is now Handshake! And the info formerly found on Canvas is now our website, where you will find these additional job boards: 

When you imagine yourself searching for a job or internship, you likely see yourself scrolling through listings on a job board, but surprise! This isn't the most effective use of your limited time. You should be selective about the job boards and limit the amount of time you spend on them. We'll tell you more in the final episode of our series on internship and job search strategies. 

Some resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-7697119 Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0600 916 1 6 full false Search Strategies Part 3: Networking Search Strategies Part 3: Networking 2026 Updates to this episode:

  • Amy and Susan discuss "Success Stories." These are now called "Student Stories" on our website - where you can also learn about our Career Engagement Process.
  • Also check out our recent blog on informational interviewing. 
  • Handshake is the place to find opportunities and events. 

Networking! Just the idea provokes dread in the most steadfast of hearts, but networking isn't mingling. The core tool in networking is informational interviewing, which is almost like a qualitative research tool you deploy to figure out what you want to do and how to get there. It pays big dividends on the search--taking you from being reactive (looking at listings) to being proactive (hearing about positions before they are listed). In our method, your target list and networking list go together. Listen in and learn more! And remember... 

"Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What's important is the action. You don't have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow." the late, great Carrie Fisher


]]> 2026 Updates to this episode:

  • Amy and Susan discuss "Success Stories." These are now called "Student Stories" on our website - where you can also learn about our Career Engagement Process.
  • Also check out our recent blog on informational interviewing. 
  • Handshake is the place to find opportunities and events. 

Networking! Just the idea provokes dread in the most steadfast of hearts, but networking isn't mingling. The core tool in networking is informational interviewing, which is almost like a qualitative research tool you deploy to figure out what you want to do and how to get there. It pays big dividends on the search--taking you from being reactive (looking at listings) to being proactive (hearing about positions before they are listed). In our method, your target list and networking list go together. Listen in and learn more! And remember... 

"Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What's important is the action. You don't have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow." the late, great Carrie Fisher


]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-7403938 Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:00:00 -0600 1476 full false Search Strategies Part 2: Targeting Search Strategies Part 2: Targeting 2026 Updates:

Our website has great resources to get you started on targeting! Also, AI is a great tool for this. Handshake is where you'll find listings - but don't limit yourself to targeting organizations that post jobs. Most of the places you're interested in will not be on Handshake!

Also, check out our weekly newsletter, which offers tailored listings that are shared with us by our alumni and employer network, or that we know would be a good fit for our students. You can subscribe on our homepage!

----

In this episode, Amy and Susan detail how to create, track, and share your target list. 

]]> 2026 Updates:

Our website has great resources to get you started on targeting! Also, AI is a great tool for this. Handshake is where you'll find listings - but don't limit yourself to targeting organizations that post jobs. Most of the places you're interested in will not be on Handshake!

Also, check out our weekly newsletter, which offers tailored listings that are shared with us by our alumni and employer network, or that we know would be a good fit for our students. You can subscribe on our homepage!

----

In this episode, Amy and Susan detail how to create, track, and share your target list. 

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-7200259 Fri, 08 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0600 843 1 4 full false How to Approach the Internship Search How to Approach the Internship Search 2026 Updates: "Success Stories" is now "Student Stories" on our website. Also, AI means the applying without networking is even more soul-sucking these days...


Amy and Susan discuss internship search strategies for government, policy and social impact They detail the three elements of a good search strategy and how to spend your time for maximum results. Some of the resources they mention in this podcast:

]]> 2026 Updates: "Success Stories" is now "Student Stories" on our website. Also, AI means the applying without networking is even more soul-sucking these days...


Amy and Susan discuss internship search strategies for government, policy and social impact They detail the three elements of a good search strategy and how to spend your time for maximum results. Some of the resources they mention in this podcast:

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-6864456 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 -0600 1146 1 3 full false The Career Engagement Process The Career Engagement Process 2026 Updates: We've changed our terminology a bit - but the process (and the point of this podcast) remains the same! There's a lot of work to be done prior to applying for things. Assess, Explore, Search and Launch are now Understand Yourself, Envision Possibilities, Prepare, Search & Apply and Engage. See our website and listen in to learn more about the phases. And, check out our blog post for more on the importance of Superfandom. 

In this episode, Susan and Amy describe the four phases of the career development process (Assess, Explore, Search, and Launch). They provide insider tips for how and when these phases unfold in government, policy, advocacy, and international affair searches. 

]]> 2026 Updates: We've changed our terminology a bit - but the process (and the point of this podcast) remains the same! There's a lot of work to be done prior to applying for things. Assess, Explore, Search and Launch are now Understand Yourself, Envision Possibilities, Prepare, Search & Apply and Engage. See our website and listen in to learn more about the phases. And, check out our blog post for more on the importance of Superfandom. 

In this episode, Susan and Amy describe the four phases of the career development process (Assess, Explore, Search, and Launch). They provide insider tips for how and when these phases unfold in government, policy, advocacy, and international affair searches. 

]]> Amy Heath-Carpentier and Susan Craig Buzzsprout-6807232 Fri, 11 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0600 957 1 2 full false Resumes for Government, Policy, and Advocacy Resumes for Government, Policy, and Advocacy 2026 Updates: There are some great new resources for resume formatting. We highly recommend using vmock to help with formatting and refining your resume. 

Guidelines around federal resumes are changing, and fast. Be sure to read the job description closely to understand what's required. Learn more about the changes here and refer to USAJobs and OPM for the most up-to-date guidance.

Also check out our Top 10 Tips for Resume Writing!

Susan and Amy discuss the document that's central to internship and job applications: the resume. They cover why the resume is central to government, policy, and advocacy applications, how to format it, and the difference between a resume and CV. Applying for federal positions through USAJobs? You’ll get the scoop on how a federal resume differs and a few tips on beating the algorithm. 

Come by our community pop-in hours for feedback or stop by the Center for Career Engagement anytime M-F 9-5 for more general feedback.






]]> 2026 Updates: There are some great new resources for resume formatting. We highly recommend using vmock to help with formatting and refining your resume. 

Guidelines around federal resumes are changing, and fast. Be sure to read the job description closely to understand what's required. Learn more about the changes here and refer to USAJobs and OPM for the most up-to-date guidance.

Also check out our Top 10 Tips for Resume Writing!

Susan and Amy discuss the document that's central to internship and job applications: the resume. They cover why the resume is central to government, policy, and advocacy applications, how to format it, and the difference between a resume and CV. Applying for federal positions through USAJobs? You’ll get the scoop on how a federal resume differs and a few tips on beating the algorithm. 

Come by our community pop-in hours for feedback or stop by the Center for Career Engagement anytime M-F 9-5 for more general feedback.






]]> Amy Buzzsprout-5859337 Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:00:00 -0500 1161 1 1 full false