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The differences between policy interns and communications specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a policy internship has an average salary of $64,641, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a policy internship include policy research, public policy and policy issues. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Policy Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,641 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $31.08 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 47,625 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Policy interns and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Policy Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $64,641 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $117,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a policy internship and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Policy Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between policy interns' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Policy Internship | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.7% Female, 58.3% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |