Favorite Parts of Working in the Public Policy Industry as a Public Policy Manager
Zeke, a Public Policy Manager, finds the most fulfilling aspect of their work to be "solving problems" and creating "a more Equitable system" through detailed policy work. This involves meticulously analyzing legislation and resource allocation to achieve tangible, positive change, a focus driven by their childhood experiences and a desire for concrete results over theoretical approaches.
Problem-Solving, Policy Analysis, Resource Allocation, Equity and Justice, Legislative Process
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Zeke Sandoval
Public Policy Manager
Global Health Non-Profit
University of Southern California, 2019
Not applicable
Political Science, American Studies
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Legal
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Zeke's passion for solving real-world problems, particularly those related to social inequities like homelessness, is a major motivator in his career.
2. His work involves detailed policy analysis and the ability to predict and mitigate unintended consequences of legislation, showcasing the importance of concrete policy work.
3. He highlights the satisfaction derived from directly impacting systems and resource allocation to achieve more equitable outcomes, emphasizing the value of practical, results-oriented policy-making over theoretical approaches.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
If we consider my industry to be politics, which I think is fair, it's really exciting to solve problems. This is why I wanted to do this in the first place.
I grew up in Los Angeles, around people experiencing homelessness. My family always emphasized the difference between me and them: luck. I was born with a different set of cards than they were dealt, and that's just how it is.
From a young age, I felt that things shouldn't be that way. Clearly, something is wrong, and we have to fix it.
Being in a role where I deal with legislation and systems feels like plumbing. You have to get in and fix the pipes, or reshift how money and resources are flowing. The goal is to end up with a more equitable system.
This means earning some things, loosening others, and shifting things around. It's about moving pieces to make the system work better. The capacity to get into details is something that political campaigns aren't always focused on.
But on the policy side, details really matter. The ability to zero in on them and say, "Okay, if we have this line in this law, it's going to lead to this consequence," is crucial. We have to think through unintended consequences.
This has always appealed to me, which is why I got my degree in public policy. While policy is fantastic for campaigning, I wanted something more concrete than theory-based.
For governing, which interested me more, it's satisfying to see what needs to be shifted. This might involve moving people, cutting or instituting laws to make things move better and achieve our goals more equitably.