COMMUNICATIONS/LEGAL - FOOD POLICY ANALYST COMMUNICATIONS/LEGAL - FOOD POLICY ANALYST 11 12 3. Food Policy Analysts Have Master’s Degrees in Public Policy Most employers require food policy analysts to have a minimum of a master’s degree in the fields of public policy, economics, political science, education, agribusiness or a degree related to the field they are working in. Typically, their undergraduate degrees are related to the industry they are interested in joining. This position is typically not the one that a student enters as soon they graduate. Having work experience within their field of interest provides them with a more holistic view of the field which aids them in creating better quality recommendations. 4. Food Policy Analysts Critically Assess Issues and Make Recommendations Many of the issues that policy analysts deal with are not black and white. Two individuals could look at the same problem and have two very different ways to approach it. Policies can affect people differently so it’s up to the analyst to find a medium that benefits those who need it the most. Food policy analysts assess current policies and recommend ways they can be improved. These recommendations must be both costeffective and feasible within a period. Through their daily work food policy analysts improve their critical thinking skills. They use key performance indicators to monitor how well a policy is working such as tracking the number of households still relying on food banks. 5. Food Policy Analysts Try to Influence Political Issues and Raise Public Awareness Food policy analysts must indulge in persuasive communication styles because to get a policy passed someone needs to be convinced. These professionals know how to navigate the scene by going through the right channels and getting the right people to listen to their recommendations. They know how to change their communication styles based on who they are talking to. For some parties they might want to see convincing numbers while others would want to hear a convincing story. No matter what the communication style clear and concise messaging needs to be articulated. Communication goes both ways so the analyst must also be open to feedback, criticism, and questions in productive ways. 6. Food Policy Analysts Collaborate Policies are not created alone by the policy analyst. Instead, they require collaboration between colleagues, elected officials, specialists and the individuals the policies affect. When collaborating, their overall goal is to build relationships and trust. To create opportunities to collaborate, policy analysts will organize public events, engage in public speaking and deliver presentations. During these times they can have conversations that allow them focus on the needs and goals of those that the policies affect. 7. Food Policy Analysts Prepare Communication Materials The overall duty of a food policy analyst is to influence public policy. These professionals create a range of communication materials including reports, internal briefings, presentations, documents and position papers. All these materials require different ways to present the information, and it is up to the policy maker to decide what information to include. It is essential that they consider their audience and whom they will be communicating to. The Questions they need to consider are: • What is the technical level of the receiver? • What is the key message of my communication? • Is my message backed by enough information? • How much time do I have to complete the message? No matter the type of communication, food policy analysts need to create clear concise messaging! 8. Food Policy Analysts are Detail-Oriented, Have Superior Communication Skills, and Manage Projects Effectively Being a Food Policy Analyst requires a wide range of skills. However, there are a few which are more essential than others. Important policy analyst skills include: • Detail-Oriented – Food policy analysts are consistently creating communication pieces (ex. reports, briefs) and it’s essential that they are error free. They demonstrate their detail orientated nature by proof-reading everything before they put it out. Also, they develop systems to manage all their data they collect for policy recommendations. • Written Communication – Food policy analysts have outstanding writing abilities. They write daily so it only makes sense that they have strong written abilities. As a result, they can write clearly and concisely for diverse audiences which includes translating complex language from technical materials into everyday language. • Project Management - Food policy analysts juggle multiple projects at once and therefore it is essential they can effectively manage projects. Projects are managed by defining the overall scope and creating a series of smaller tasks. Additionally, they monitor and control the project performance. Want to learn more about how government agencies, industry and consumers shape food priorities and policies in the US? Then check out Hunter College’s Food Policy & Practice Lecture Series with Grow NYC Greenmarket Director Michael Hurwitz, JD, MSW, over on YouTube. Click the photo to tune in! In this series, you learn about the following: - The history of agriculture and food policies - What a sustainable food system could look like - What are food policies - Inequities in the food system Have you been told you need to work on your ‘Soft Skills’? Do you nod in agreement and then wonder what the heck that term ACTUALLY means? What are employers really looking for? Learn what are what are soft and hard skills and what employers are looking for in your resume. Click the photo to read all about it! Hi! I’m Quinton, the FoodGrads Bot! For any questions please come visit me at FoodGrads.com! Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels.com Photo by Prostock-studio/stock.adobe.com To learn more on how YOU could become a FoodGrads Education Partner, contact partners@foodgrads.com for more information!
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=