Careers in Political Science
The study of political science offers opportunities toward careers in government; business and industry; and in such professions as law, journalism, communications; interest groups and lobbying work, campaign management and others. Although a two-year liberal arts degree (A.A.) may be sufficient for entry-level positions, many jobs require a four-year degree in political science. Individuals with an educational background in political science are offered jobs in federal, state, and local government agencies, business/industry, media, international agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Government: There are a myriad of job types in the various branches of the U.S. government for which political science is an appropriate background. Such career opportunities might range from intelligence specialists in the CIA to program analysts in various regulating agencies to research assistants on Capitol Hill. At the state and local government level, job opportunities for political science students have increased substantially as a result of the expansion of executive and legislative responsibilities in such areas as pollution control, consumer protection, and industrial development.
The USA Jobs web site provides data on jobs in the federal government. Searches can be conducted by geographic area, or specialized categories. On-line application forms are available. Most jobs require a bachelor's degree in Political Science or related field. Also, http://www.studentjobs.gov/ provides detailed information on all student hiring programs in the federal government.
International Organizations: Individuals with a four-year degree in political science or international relations are often employed in foreign countries by the U.S. government in positions that range from the foreign service and Peace Corps to serving as a travel and tourism expert for the U.S. Travel Service, to working as international economists for the Export-Import Bank. Others work for international governmental organizations such as the United Nations or the World Bank or non-governmental international organizations such as Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch. The employment market for individuals with foreign language competence, cross-cultural skills, and knowledge of the world is expanding rapidly.
If you are thinking about transferring to a four-year institution and majoring in political science or international relations, check out the U.S. Department of State for careers in foreign service in the U.S. and abroad at http://careers.state.gov/. Also, check www.un.org for employment opportunities with the United Nations.
Business and Industry: Undergraduate training in political science provides you with analytical skills that are transferable to the world of business. Political science graduates can benefit from a background in the interrelationships between government and business. An educational background in international politics is particularly helpful to those interested in careers with multinational firms.
Law: Many students who intend to go to law school see political science as an appropriate stepping stone. The political science curriculum offers a number of courses which expose the student to important social issues of the day, as well as public law courses.
Journalism: A background in political science provides an excellent complementary field for journalism. Much of journalism deals with government and politics, and reporters need to be politically literate.
Public and Private Interest Groups: Interest groups are major agents in the political process, representing virtually all sectors of American society. Increasingly such groups have need for specialists with backgrounds in political science for lobbying and grass-roots organizing.
