Career Opportunities

A fundamental aim of education in political science is to develop skills in reasoning, problem solving, reading comprehension, research, and writing that are critical to a liberal arts education. A liberal arts education prepares students to think independently, with tolerance for others and concern for current affairs. Today, students can reasonably expect to change jobs and even to have more than one career.

Political science majors qualify for many many different careers in private and public sector organizations, including careers in business, the law, state, local and federal government, journalism, international organizations, and finance, political campaigns, interest groups and associations, and pre-college and college teaching. Graduate study in any of the fields of political science is another option. About one-third of all political science majors pursue careers in business and related fields.

Political science training also provides valuable preparation for participating in community organizations, electoral politics, movements on behalf of specific policies, or even seeking elected or appointed positions in government. Many of these are voluntary activities. But opportunities also exist for part-time and full-time positions in politics and government, particularly at the local level.

To prepare to seek employment:

Consult your teachers and college placement counselors. Seek advice about opportunities and how your own skills and achievements can best be used. It is never too early to contact you college's placement office and determine how to identify jobs that interest you and prepare to apply for these jobs.
Explore other job opportunities by contacting government agencies, corporations, local, state, and federal employment agencies, newspapers, and professional organizations.
Prepare a resume. Emphasize broad analytical and communication skills as well as substantive knowledge gained from your political science courses. Highlight internship and job experiences.
Send you resume to organizations that interest you and work with your college placement office to schedule interviews with businesses and government agencies recruiting on your campus.
Pursue direct contacts for jobs that interest you by talking with people in these jobs and asking their suggestions.
Seek out an internship while you are still in college with an organization that interests you.