The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.

This article analyzes career paths and career considerations among policy professionals in Sweden. It builds on a longitudinal dataset where the professionals' careers are mapped and interviews conducted over a six‐year period. We found that: (1) skills such as the ability to navigate the political system make policy professionals employable in a variety of organizations; (2) considerations regarding different aspects of power were central to their career decisions; and (3) the barriers in their labor market are related to ideological commitments, loyalties, and value hierarchies that make policy professionals reluctant to move anywhere their skills could take them. Related Articles: Corbett, Jack. 2013. "Politicians and Professionalization in the Pacific Islands: Revisiting Self‐Regulation?" Politics & Policy 41 (6): 852‐876. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12050 Francia, Peter L., and Paul S. Herrnson. 2007. "Candidate Attitudes toward Negative Campaigning." Politics & Policy 35 (2): 246‐272. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2007.00059.x Svallfors, Stefan. 2016. "Out of the Golden Cage: PR and the Career Opportunities of Policy Professionals." Politics & Policy 44 (1): 56‐73. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12149 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]