Student Opportunities

The Public Policy Center provides an exciting setting for students interested in public policy and research. About half of our staff are graduate or undergraduate students at the University and come to us from a variety of departments such as: psychology, political science, economics, sociology, international studies and pre-law. Students are given tasks that range from basic office functions to producing work that will be included in final reports and require a high level of responsibility and skill.

Students have been involved in almost every project at the Center. Undergraduate involvement might include mailing surveys and entering received responses, conducting and transcribing phone interviews to be analyzed, as well as helping with literature reviews and basic project research. Graduate students have gone with project directors to present research at conferences, assist with grant writing, help with general project management, arrange and attend meetings with stakeholders, as well as survey design and statistical analysis.

Undergraduate students at the PPC are encouraged to consider applying for the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE) program. Our researchers on staff have been mentoring students on UCARE projects for many years and covering many topics that include threat assessment and international implications, analyzing healthcare information exchange, examining the perception of career technical education in Nebraska, cultural competence in the Nebraska children’s mental health system, as well as procedural justice and compliance.

Former PPC students have gone on to do great things across the nation. A few examples include:

• Psychometrician at American Dental Association in Chicago, IL helping to develop and score tests designated for dental professional licensure.
• Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Social Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno
• Senior Manager, Community Investment Department, United Way in Connecticut
• Assistant Professor at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania

If you are interested in a Student Research Assistant position at the Public Policy Center, please send the following materials: cover letter, CV/resume, writing sample, transcripts (unofficial is fine), and three references to Jenn Klein at jklein2@nebraska.edu.