Political Employment Track

If you hope to work in politics after graduation, your extracurricular work will be critical. We recommend that you complete at least one internship and volunteer for as many campaigns as possible if you wish to work for an elected official or become one yourself. To become a public administrator, you must take an internship class through your major. Here is a suggested course of action by year while majoring in political science or public administration. 

First Year
-Take our foundational introductory political science classes.
-Meet with our Internship Director, Dr. Jesse Donahue, jdonahue@svsu.edu  if you are majoring in political science.
-Meet with professor Nicol mlnicol@svsu.edu if you are majoring in public administration. 
-Attend an internship informational meeting in the fall or winter semesters. 
-Follow the Political Science Department's Facebook and Instagram sites to learn about internship opportunities. 
-Read the Political Science Department Canvas Announcements page weekly. 

Second Year and Third Years

-Take our upper division courses in American institutions and policy for content knowledge.
-Political Science students should plan to completed an internship at least one of these years. 
-Meet with Dr. Donahue to set up an internship any semester for the following semester. Political Science majors will receive course credit in the public policy category if they take PS 496 "Field Work in Public Affairs." 

Advice for each year: 

First and Second Years

• Complete as many of the Political Science required foundation courses as possible.
• Introduce yourself to the department chair (Julie Keil).
• These could include the College Democrats, the College Republicans, the Student Association, and a host of others.
• Volunteer on an election campaign (even in your first year). You can receive credit through the PS 496 Internship course.
• Complete an internship with a local or state elected official (spring or summer of second year).
• Prepare a resume. Work with a faculty advisor.
• Develop a network of friends and contacts. Be social!

Third Year

• Get a “graduation audit” from the Advising Office and meet with the Political Science department chair to make sure that you can graduate on time (late fall).
• Complete an internship with a state or federal elected representative (may do in spring or summer).
• If possible, complete an internship in Lansing or Washington, DC (spring or summer).

Fourth Year

• If you do not already have a post-graduation employment opportunity in place, meet with the Career Advising office as a resource.
• Take courses that will develop your political skills. 
• Apply for graduation (at the Registrar’s Office) in the fall semester.