This year’s M.S. in Political Analytics program trip to Washington, D.C. offered students a firsthand look at how data drives modern political strategy, highlighting both the scale of the field and the wide range of career opportunities within it.
Through visits to the Service Employees International Union, Impact Research, and Grassroots Analytics, students saw how analytics is used to shape messaging, guide campaigns, mobilize voters, and even transform fundraising efforts. They also engaged directly with professionals in the field, through events like the Data-Driven DC Panel, whose insights and enthusiasm provided valuable career guidance and reinforced the relevance of classroom learning.
Across these experiences, a common theme emerged: data is not just about numbers, but about storytelling, strategy, and impact. Together, these takeaways underscored the dynamic, mission-driven nature of political analytics and left students inspired to apply their skills in real-world settings.
Read more below to hear directly from students about their experiences and key takeaways from the trip.
Data-Driven DC How Analytics are Rewriting Political Media, featuring Sara Fagen, unnl Founder & CEO, and Andrew Markoff, Vice President, Three Point Media
Donica Basica
M.S. in Political Analytics Student
One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to see the sheer scale of the political analytics ecosystem and all the opportunities the field holds. It really opened my eyes to all the possibilities and opportunities in the field, and to how data is truly the backbone of modern political strategy.
At the Service Employees International Union, we learned how they use analytics to drive targeted advocacy and policy initiatives, ensuring that member voices are amplified where they matter most. At Impact Research, we saw how they use polling and focus groups to deliver creative and innovative strategies. An example that really stood out to me was their work for Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2018, where voter testing delivered them the iconic and effective “Fix the Damn Roads” slogan. At Grassroots Analytics, we saw them help campaigns and nonprofits identify new donors and democratize fundraising.
The enthusiasm that every firm has for the work they do is what brought me into political analytics, and it is what excites me about joining the field in the near future.
Kira Kerdyn
M.S. in Political Analytics Student
The Political Analytics trip to Washington, D.C. this January helped provide valuable context for the work we’ve been doing in our coursework. Over the course of the three-day trip, we learned how several organizations incorporate data and analytics to drive their work in politics and advocacy. I especially enjoyed our trip to Impact Research, where they discussed different qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data and inform strategy on political campaigns.
Across our site visits, I found the professional wisdom that panelists shared to be thought-provoking, and uniquely tailored to working towards a career in analytics. Getting this kind of specific advice, especially towards the beginning of my time in the program, has provided a lot of clarity as I think about my future aspirations.
Megan Lynott
M.S. in Political Analytics Student
Our first stop was the SEIU, one of the largest and most influential labor unions in the United States, where I was struck by how deeply data-driven their organizing work has become. The team walked us through how they use modeling scores to micro-target individuals and use data to predict how receptive a given person might be to a particular message. Beyond strategy, we saw what day-to-day life looks like for someone on an in-house data analytics team at a major organization.
Our second stop at Impact Research showed just how much adaptability is required in this kind of work; different clients, different races, and different contexts all demand different research methods and analytics tools. It was a compelling glimpse into what it means to work at a polling firm where you are working on many different projects for different clients.
At Grassroots Analytics, it was genuinely eye-opening to see how data can be used to better target potential donors in the progressive policy space.
Ultimately, the D.C. trip was a success on every level. It gave us the chance to step outside the classroom and see how the statistical methods and analytical frameworks we study every day are actually applied in the real world. Additionally, it provided insight into the range of roles and career paths that will be available to us after graduation.
Fina Adonai Osei-Owusu
M.S. in Political Analytics Student
The January trip to Washington, D.C. was one of the most impactful experiences of my time in the Political Analytics program. It was exciting to see how the analytical tools we study in class are actually used by professionals working in campaigns, advocacy organizations, and political consulting. Meeting with Impact Research, Grassroots Analytics, and Service Employees International Union helped me better understand how data and polling inform real campaign decisions, from shaping messaging to guiding strategy and outreach. Seeing the role analytics plays in everything from voter engagement to policy advocacy made the field feel much more tangible and dynamic.
One of the most valuable parts of the trip was the opportunity to connect directly with professionals working in politics and public affairs. Conversations with practitioners helped me see the many career paths that exist at the intersection of politics, data, and strategy. As someone interested in how data can shape political communication and public engagement, the experience reinforced why I chose to study political analytics and made me even more excited about applying these skills in the real world.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Political Analytics program provides students quantitative skills in an explicitly political context, facilitating crosswalk with nontechnical professionals and decision-makers—and empowers students to become decision-makers themselves.
The 36-credit program is available part-time and full-time, on-campus. Learn more about the program here.
For general information and admissions questions, please call 212-854-9666 or email politicalanalytics [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
