Becoming a Policy Superfan

Superfandom is not just reserved for sports fanatics! Taking the time to be up-to-date on the topics that motivate you is a sure way to demonstrate your interest in the field and give you timely topics on which to engage your network.

Becoming a Policy Superfan

Follow these tips to get in-the-know:

  1. Be an avid news reader. Figure out a way to follow the headlines. Every. Day. You don’t have to read all the articles – but you need to know what’s up. Your free subscriptions to the NYT and WSJ (and others) are an amazing resource – take advantage while you can!
  2. Find a trusted issue-specific news aggregator. By subscribing to a newsletter or inserting several authoritative voices into your social media feed, you’ll be able to stay on top of emerging issues. Here are a few of our favorites:
    • Politico’s Playbooks – these daily newsletters will keep you abreast of all the policy and political news in DC. They also offer a wide range of state-based political newsletters plus issue-oriented editions around national security, health care, the environment and technology.
    • Semafor – similar to Politico, with a range of newsletter offerings
    • Just Security – for the law and national security-minded
    • International Intrigue – for aspiring diplomats
    • The Daily – NYT’s podcast offers a deep dive on one issue
  3. Identify the experts – and insert yourself in the inner circle. Who’s being cited? What organizations are hosting panels? Who are those experts debating or referencing? Once you’ve identified a rather narrow area of interest, you’ll see that think tankers and journalists and scholars run in very similar circles. They sit on panels together, co-author op-eds and tag each other on social media. Tune in to their conversations.

After several weeks of superfandom, you will be ready to engage with professionals in the space! You can request an informational interview with confidence and ask questions – and have your own opinions! – around timely topics. It’s a great way to demonstrate that you belong not just on the sidelines, but on the team.