Career Options for Political Science Graduates

Career Areas Overview

• Local and State Government
• Federal Government
• Law
• Politics
• International Affairs
• Business
• Nonprofit
• Media
• Education

Local and State Government

Areas

• Public policy
• Urban planning
• City or town management
• Legislative, executive, or judicial services
• Program administration
• General services
• Community affairs
• Social services
• Law enforcement

Employers

• Counties
• Cities
• Municipalities
• Townships
• School districts
• Departments of state government
• Legislative agencies
• Court systems

Strategies

• Research your local and state government.
• Employment opportunities in local government tend to follow population trends in terms of availability of positions. Check statistics on growing communities to find the most opportunities.
• Be prepared to relocate.
• Develop a network of contacts through referrals and informational interviews.
• Conduct research on topics such as education or homelessness that could be useful to your community.
• Get involved in civic organizations and events.
• Complete an internship in a government agency.
• Participate in local or national election campaigns.
• Become familiar with the government application process.
• Consider earning a graduate degree in public administration (MPA) or public policy (MPP).

Federal Government

Areas

• Public policy
• Research
• Intelligence
• Foreign service
• Law enforcement
• General services
• Legislative, executive, or judicial services
• Program administration

Employers

There are over 170 federal departments and agencies. See Go Government.

Strategies

• Take courses or a minor in applicable interest areas.
• Seek leadership roles in relevant campus organizations such as Model United Nations, student government, and cross-cultural organizations.
• Write for campus publications focused on national and international affairs.
• Develop skills in computers, statistics, and data analysis.
• Acquire foreign language competency and travel experience for international positions.
• Research specialized agencies within the federal government to find the area that best fits your interests.
• Become familiar with the government application process and seek assistance from your college career center.
• Obtain an internship in a federal agency or department.
• Participate in national campaigns.
• Conduct informational interviews with government employees.
• Build a strong personal network.

Law

Areas

• Prosecution
• Defense
• Contractual law
• Corporate law
• Nonprofit or public interest law
• Government
• Mediation
• Law assistance
• Lobbying
• Other specialties

Employers

• Law firms
• Federal, state, and local government
• Private practice
• Corporations
• Special interest groups
• Universities and colleges
• Legal aid societies
• Nonprofit and public interest organizations such as the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Legal Services Corporation
• Legal clinics
• Other private legal services

Strategies

• Develop strong research skills and attention to detail.
• Participate in debate teams to hone communication skills.
• Choose courses or a minor to specialize in a particular area of law.
• Gain practical experience through an internship, part-time job, or summer work in a law firm.
• Shadow an attorney to learn more about the field and various specialties.
• Get involved in pre-law organizations.
• Plan to attend law school and earn a law degree (JD).
• Maintain a high GPA, secure strong faculty recommendations, and prepare for the LSAT.
• Obtain specialized certification for paralegal positions.

Politics

Areas

• Elected or appointed leadership
• Campaign management
• Staff administration
• Special interest advocacy
• Political advising
• Lobbying
• Public policy
• Public relations
• Community organizing
• Government relations

Employers

• Legislative, executive, or judicial officials
• National, state, or local government
• Political action committees
• Political parties
• Campaigns at the national, state, or local level
• Industrial, educational, and public interest groups
• Lobbying organizations
• Large business firms
• Polling and consulting firms
• Advocacy organizations

Strategies

• Volunteer for national, state, or local campaigns.
• Be prepared to begin a political career as a volunteer before moving to paid positions.
• Recognize that many elected public officials begin careers in other fields before campaigning for office.
• Gain experience through internships with government agencies, lobbying firms, or legislatures.
• Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
• Become involved in campus political groups, student government, publications, or community service projects.
• Take courses in statistics, economics, public policy, or other specific interest areas.
• Get involved with a political party or group and develop a personal network.
• Build networks, coalitions, and alliances with other associations.
• Develop excellent public relations, interpersonal, and communication skills.

International Affairs

Areas

• Governance
• Policy making and analysis
• Public sector reform
• Poverty-reduction strategy
• Ethics and anti-corruption
• Human rights
• Public law
• Organization and management development
• Resource development
• Public-private partnerships
• Media and communication policy and practice

Employers

• Intergovernmental agencies such as the World Bank and United Nations
• National governments
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Nonprofit agencies
• Religious organizations
• Foundations
• Policy and research organizations
• Private businesses
• Contracting and consulting firms
• Research institutes
• Defense contractors
• Federal government agencies including the Department of State, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and National Security Council

Strategies

• Earn a double major or minor to gain additional skills or knowledge.
• Spend time studying or working abroad.
• Make and maintain contacts in foreign countries.
• Seek cultural experiences on campus and get involved with the international student population.
• Obtain internships or volunteer to gain experience in areas of interest.
• Participate in overseas mission trips or spend a Semester at Sea.
• Research the history and culture of interest areas.
• Become proficient in at least one foreign language.
• Learn about international travel regulations and how to obtain work or study visas.
• Earn a relevant graduate degree in international affairs, foreign policy, or another specialty area.
• Consider entering the Peace Corps.

Business

Areas

• Sales
• Human resources
• Management
• Public relations
• Market research
• Customer service
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Product design
• Real estate

Employers

• Product and service organizations
• Retail stores
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Manufacturers
• Insurance companies
• Print and electronic media
• Consulting firms
• Other business corporations
• Financial institutions
• Real estate companies
• Property management firms

Strategies

• Develop strong analytical, verbal, writing, and leadership skills.
• Earn a minor or double major in business or supplement the curriculum with business courses.
• Gain relevant experience through internships or other employment.
• Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
• Hone computer skills and learn software packages such as databases, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Become knowledgeable about corporate social responsibility.

Nonprofit

Areas

• Administration
• Management
• Public relations
• Fund raising and development
• Policy analysis
• Research
• Grant writing
• Direct service
• Advocacy
• Volunteer coordination

Employers

• Local and national nonprofit agencies
• Foundations
• Charitable organizations
• Trade or professional associations
• Special interest groups
• Labor unions
• Libraries
• Museums
• Historic sites and historical societies
• Research organizations and think tanks
• Educational institutions

Strategies

• Gain practical experience by volunteering or completing an internship with a nonprofit organization of interest.
• Earn a minor or supplement the curriculum with courses in business, psychology, or social work.
• Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and community organizations.
• Develop strong communication and research skills.
• Learn grant writing skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a specialty area such as public health, the environment, or urban issues.
• Research organizations' values to find a good fit.
• Investigate terms of service or service corps positions such as AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or VISTA.
• Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.

Media

Areas

• Editing
• Reporting
• Circulation
• Sales
• Publishing
• Electronic media
• Public relations
• News programming
• Production

Employers

• Newspapers at the national, local, or trade level
• Wire services
• Magazines
• Internet sites
• Large corporations
• Political parties
• Political action committees
• Professional publications and associations
• Labor unions
• Academic journals
• Broadcast media companies including television, radio, and the movie industry
• Major networks
• Public, cable, and private television stations
• National, state, or regional radio networks
• Independent radio syndications
• Video production companies
• Government agencies

Strategies

• Obtain an internship or work experience with a newspaper, magazine, radio station, or television station.
• Become proficient in desktop publishing and photography.
• Develop a professional network and become aware of social media platforms.
• Learn HTML and other computer programs to prepare for online work.
• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills through communications courses or writing-intensive coursework.
• Join the college newspaper, yearbook, or other publication staff.
• Become a student member of professional associations.
• Create a portfolio of published writing samples.
• Obtain experience in a specialty area of interest. Government experience is usually required for specialized reporting positions.
• Develop a professional image for television or other visual media positions.
• Volunteer to announce local or campus sporting events.
• Become involved in drama by directing, acting, or working with a technical crew.

Education

Areas

• Elementary education
• Middle school education
• Secondary education
• Administration
• Higher education teaching
• Higher education research
• Higher education administration
• Student affairs
• Information and library services

Employers

• K-12 public and private schools
• Boards of education
• Four-year colleges and universities
• Two-year and community colleges
• Technical schools
• Medical and professional schools

Strategies

• Complete a teacher preparation program to teach in the public school system.
• Obtain teaching certification or licensure for the desired subject area or grade level.
• Seek multiple certifications to increase employability.
• Private schools may not require certification or licensure but may prefer candidates with graduate degrees in subject areas.
• Seek experiences with youth through summer jobs at camps or other community organizations.
• A doctoral degree is required to teach and research at four-year institutions or to enter the highest levels of university administration.
• A master's or PhD is required to teach at two-year schools.
• Earn a master's degree in student personnel, student development, counseling, or library and information sciences for student affairs and librarian positions.
• Gain related experience on campus through student leadership opportunities such as Peer Mentors, Resident Assistants, or Orientation Leaders.

General Information

• An undergraduate degree in political science is good preparation for graduate or professional study in areas such as political science, public administration, foreign policy, law, and business.
• Carefully research programs to choose specializations or concentrations of interest.
• Maintain a high grade point average to support admission into graduate or law programs and government positions.
• Expect keen competition for federal positions and prepare with a strong academic background and good experience.
• Many government jobs have strict guidelines and carefully match candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities to the job description.
• Explore application to Administrative Careers with America (ACWA) and the Outstanding Scholar Program for federal positions.
• Develop strong leadership skills by running for office in clubs and organizations or by organizing projects and events.
• Join related social and professional organizations.
• Build a strong personal network through informal contacts.
• Consider military experience and training as an entryway into government jobs and public service.
• The Peace Corps is also a good way to enter a career in government.