SabinKu Shah

Author: SabinKu Shah

Entry Level Jobs for the GLI Career Community

Graduating with a background in Government, Law, and International Affairs (GLI) opens various doors of possibilities – but figuring out which door to choose can feel overwhelming and confusing. Your time on campus debating about policy issues, discussing global development, leading the Model UN, or the LUCC has already built a foundation of experiences for a meaningful career. Now, let’s discuss what “entry-level” roles look like for GLI students and how to start navigating that first step after graduation. 

Where GLI Graduates Can Go 

Career options in GLI can be broad – and that’s a strength. Many students go on to work in public service, policy research, or international development, but those aren’t the only career options or routes you can take. Here are a few common paths for recent graduates:  

  • Government and Public Policy: As a recent graduate, you can start as legislative aides, policy analysts, or research assistants at the state and federal levels. Other government positions could also include working with city governments or nonpartisan research organizations to better understand policy creation. 
  • Law and Legal Fields: If you are planning to attend law school in the future, working as a paralegal or legal assistant can give you first-hand experience of the legal world while you build your valuable research and case management skills prior to attending law school.  
  • International Relations and Nonprofits: Organizations like the Peace Corps, UN and subsidiaries, AmeriCorps, and other international NGOs also seek graduates with an interest in diplomacy, cultural understanding, and global-problem solving. 
  • Think Tanks and Research Institutes: Entry-level research or project coordinator roles let you apply your analytical and writing skills while contributing to studies on political, social, or economic issues. 

Most of these paths value the same core traits that GLI students should work on, like critical thinking, communication, analytics, and an interest in understanding complex systems – things that a liberal arts education offers you. 

Skills That Set You Apart 

The flexibility that Lawrence students have is the ability and facilitation to connect ideas across disciplines. Employers in government and law highly appreciate candidates who can write clearly, analyse data, and communicate across cultures. If you’ve done a senior project, an internship, taken relevant coursework, or fieldwork abroad during your time at Lawrence, it is worth highlighting.  

Your skills and critical thinking abilities combined set you apart from other candidates and make your application stand out. 

Where to Start Looking 

Finding your first job comes down to using your networks and campus resources. 

Here are a few ideas: 

  • Career Center: The career center is the best resource Lawrence offers you when it comes to job hunting and applications. You can book various appointments that include career advising, writing cover letters and resumes, looking for relevant jobs, etc. You can book appointments with CPEs and Career Advisors via Handshake. 
  • Handshake: Lawrence’s go-to job platform lists numerous opportunities in public policy, international affairs, and legal assistance. 
  • Alumni Connections (Networking):  You can use the Lawrence Alumni network, which has always been incredibly supportive. Reaching out to alumni in government or law can open doors for informational interviews, referrals, or even job leads. 
  • Career Center Events: Always keep an eye out for panels or virtual sessions with GLI alumni or employers. Also, be informed about the regular Career Fairs for GLI, NES, and CJW career communities. These events can help you network and also give insights into the requirements for a job application as you are directly in talks with the employer and industry professionals. 
  • Federal and State Job Boards: Websites like USAJobs.gov or Wisc.Jobs are great starting points for GLI-related roles. 
  • Newsletters: Add yourself to various career communities to get bi-weekly newsletters that include various relevant job postings and career updates. 

Building Early Experience 

It’s never too early to gain relevant experiences when you have the opportunity to do so. Internships with local government offices, research projects with professors, or campus leadership or government roles all build a resume that shows initiative and engagement with public issues. Even volunteering for community organizations can demonstrate a commitment to service and teamwork — qualities employers love. 

Conclusion 

Exploring a career in government, law, or international relations doesn’t mean knowing exactly what you want from the first day. Your success will be defined by your curiosity, flexibility, and positive attitude towards exploring new opportunities. Whether your path leads to Washinton D.C., Madison, or halfway around the world, your time at Lawrence prepares you to think critically and lead with purpose – and that’s what these fields need the most. 

Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Jack Murdoch ’27: From Corporate Partnerships to Coaching Dreams 

Jack Murdoch ’27 Major: Business Analytics, Minor: Economics 

Corporate Partnerships Intern 

Rhode Island FC 

Jack Murdoch ’27: From Corporate Partnerships to Coaching Dreams 

Jack, a business major and soccer enthusiast, spent his summer as a corporate partnerships intern at Rhode Island FC (RIFC). During his time at RIFC, he was responsible for managing partner promotions on game days and creating mid-season recaps for 67 different corporate partners. His work also included developing a partnership playbook and contributing to the execution of promotional events that highlighted RIFC’s value to its partners. These experiences helped Jack polish his communication and presentation skills, also gaining a real-life insight into the business side of soccer. 

Jack enjoyed his time at RIFC as a corporate partnership intern, and confirmed that his true passion lies closer to the “playing side” of the sport. This internship helped him realize that he wants to pursue a career in coaching and youth development, capitalizing on his experience as an athlete and his motivation to support the next generation of players. Jack is looking forward to continuing his professional networking journey and looking for opportunities within the soccer industry for coaching and player development. 

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships. 

Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Meet Inaya: Standing for Immigrant Rights and Gaining Legal Exposure

Inaya Rivera ’28 Majors: Government and Philosophy 

Legal Intern 

Safe Passage Project 

Meet Inaya: Standing for Immigrant Rights and Gaining Legal Exposure 

Inaya Rivera ’28, a Government and Philosophy major, spent her summer as an intern at Safe Passage Project, a non-profit devoted to providing legal support for immigrants and refugee children. During her time at Safe Passage, she dedicated herself for immigration law – helping immigrants with legal forms, visa applications, and serving as a translator for Spanish-speaking people. There, she understood the importance of clear communication and compassion in legal advocacy, handling her cases with care and precision. 

Inaya’s work at Safe Passage was not limited to paperwork. She also experienced firsthand insights into the emotional challenges of immigration hearings, getting the chance to sit in on live court sessions and collaborate with attorneys to prepare clients for their day in court. These experiences gave her a firsthand, practical understanding of the legal system, which polished her ability to handle complex, sensitive situations with professionalism during the internship and for the future. Through this internship, Inaya not only strengthened her legal skills but also found her growing passion for justice, reinforcing her commitment to a career in law and human rights.  

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center, and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships. 

Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Strategies on Keeping a Job Search Manageable 

When I think about managing a job search, one key message really stands out: you don’t have to treat every job application like it’s a life-or-death situation. Not all opportunities deserve the same level of effort, and trying to give every single one your full attention is a guaranteed recipe for burnout. What I’ve learned is that by approaching your search strategically—with clear categories and time boundaries—you can actually make the process much more efficient and less stressful. 

The Emotional and Time Cost of Job Searching 

One of the first things that stuck with me was how every application comes with two kinds of costs: time and emotional energy. That part really made sense. You can easily lose hours tweaking your resume or obsessing over a cover letter—only to hear nothing back. If you do this over and over again without a clear strategy, it’s no surprise you’d end up feeling frustrated or drained. 

So instead of throwing your energy at everything, it’s smarter to think about how much each opportunity is really worth. That’s where the tiered approach comes in. 

The Tiered Approach: Matching Effort to Opportunity 

This framework breaks down your job opportunities into three main categories—and I found this concept super helpful for balancing energy, time, and expectations. 

Tier 1: “Drop Everything” 

These are the dream jobs. The ones that make you think, “If I got this, I’d pack up and move tomorrow.” They’re rare—maybe only one or two like this show up during your whole search. 

Because they’re so meaningful, they deserve deep investment: 8 to 10+ hours of prep. That includes researching the company in depth, doing informational interviews, and customizing every single part of your application. Even if you don’t get the job, the process itself is rewarding because you’re learning and connecting. 

Tier 2: “Strong Opportunities” 

These are jobs you’d be genuinely excited to land, and they make up the bulk of a healthy job search. What I like about this tier is that it balances quality and efficiency—you put in a solid 30 to 45 minutes of effort, enough to stand out without exhausting yourself. 

Tier 3: “Acceptable” 

These are roles that you’d take if offered, but you’re not emotionally invested in them. Maybe they’re slightly out of your comfort zone or not quite ideal—but they’re still worth applying to. Here, you only spend about 5 minutes per application. The key is not getting emotionally caught up in these; the lower investment helps protect your energy. 

Non-Tiered (a.k.a. Don’t Apply) 

This part really clarified things for me: if you wouldn’t take the job even if offered, just don’t apply. That simple rule can save you so much time and stress. It’s easy to feel guilty about skipping opportunities, but applying to mismatched roles wastes your resources and clouds your focus. 

The 15-Minute Job Search: A Game-Changer 

Another powerful takeaway was the 15-minute job search strategy. I love how this flips the typical grind mindset on its head. Instead of sitting down for an undefined and overwhelming session, you give yourself a very short, clear block of time with a specific goal. 

For example: 

Target: “Search for data science internships in Chicago.” 

Goal: “Find two roles to apply to.” 

Time Limit: 15 minutes—no more, no less. 

This approach keeps things light, focused, and doable. It’s great for maintaining momentum, especially when juggling other priorities like school or personal life. 

Final Thoughts 

What I’ve really come to understand is that a well-managed job search isn’t just about maximizing output—it’s about protecting your energy, managing your time wisely, and investing differently depending on the value of the opportunity. By applying a tiered system and breaking tasks into manageable chunks, the process becomes much more human and less exhausting. 

Ultimately, you’re not just trying to land any job—you’re trying to land the right one. And that takes clarity, discipline, and a little self-compassion. 

Sabin Ku Shah is a Computer Science Major and a Data Science Minor at Lawrence University and also a Secretary at Lawrence University Data Science Club. As a Career Peer Educator for CJW and GLI Career Communities, Sabin is motivated to help students explore their career paths. Connect with Sabin on Linkedin