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The differences between policy interns and communications consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a policy internship and a communications consultant. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $64,641 average annual salary of a policy internship.
The top three skills for a policy internship include policy research, public policy and policy issues. The most important skills for a communications consultant are powerpoint, web content, and project management.
| Policy Internship | Communications Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $64,641 | $91,455 |
| Hourly rate | $31.08 | $43.97 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 47,625 | 29,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A policy intern is responsible for supporting the government in researching and analyzing legislation policies, recommending revisions to match law guidelines and state regulations. Policy interns perform administrative tasks under the guidance of a direct supervisor, such as writing reports, drafting content for policy proposals, scheduling meetings, and facilitating public programs and activities. A policy intern must have excellent communication and organizational skills and should be able to work in a fast-paced environment and strict deadlines.
Communications consultants are responsible for preparing media releases, whether through print, video, or email. They perform varied tasks that may include working on complete projects such as media analysis and branding, creating strategies to reinforced communication among clients and employees, and providing guidance and recommendations to a company's public relations team. Communications consultants may also conduct training on best practices for other employees. Some employers prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations or journalism, previous work experience in a related field, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Policy interns and communications consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Policy Internship | Communications Consultant | |
| Average salary | $64,641 | $91,455 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $117,000 | Between $63,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Dell |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a policy internship and a communications consultant in terms of educational background:
| Policy Internship | Communications Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between policy interns' and communications consultants' demographics:
| Policy Internship | Communications Consultant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.7% Female, 58.3% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |