What kind of careers is open to people who have a degree in political science? It opens up a lot of possibilities for use. Career choices for political science majors include the fundamental information and abilities acquired over the course of earning a degree in political science.
Students who are interested in working in fields such as public service, finance, business, or education can benefit from honing their writing, research, and analytical skills. Students who are interested in working in governmental or legal settings will benefit from gaining knowledge of both domestic and international challenges.
The article we have written below will serve as an appropriate guidance to answering your question on what can you do with a political science degree?
Why Study Political Science?
For graduates with a degree in political science, the most obvious career paths involve working in politics or for the government. A significant portion of the political science student population is interested in pursuing legal-related careers.
(On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree in political science is not required to enroll in law school, and going to law school is not always necessary to work in a field connected to the legal system.)
You might also use your degree in political science as a stepping stone into a variety of sectors that are not related to politics or government, such as business, finance, or the arts.
It is possible that you will find employment with an advocacy organization, a firm that has a significant presence across the globe, or any one of a number of other potential employers.
What Can You Do With A Political Science Degree?
You might be qualified for some positions shortly after you graduate from college if you have a bachelor’s degree in political science, whether you get it the traditional way or online. If you have extra education or job experience, you have the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of exciting careers.
When looking for a career in political science, here are five common routes that you might want to examine.
1. Political Scientist
There are opportunities for political scientists to work in government. You could do research or consult on political systems or political trends. Alternatively, you could do research on public policy, advocate for changes in public policy, or consult on public policy.
You could also look for work in elected government if you have a degree in political science. You could find yourself advising with political campaigns, lobbying elected officials, or providing policy analysis if you find yourself in this position.
2. Lawyer
A strategic foundation for working as a lawyer, a legislative analyst, or as an elected lawmaker is to have degrees in both political science and law as well as professional degrees in one of those fields.
If you become a lawyer, you might also discover that you are qualified for positions in public policy and advocacy work within the government or with nonprofit organizations.
If you have a background in political science, some possible areas of interest for you are social and public policy, civil law, and civil rights.
3. Manager Of Public Relations Or Fundraising, Depending On the Position
If you major in political science, you may find that working in public relations or fundraising allows you to put your acquired understanding of public opinion patterns and surveys to good use.
Working in public relations may also involve assisting in the management of political campaigns, providing advice and counsel to candidates, or both.
Those who work in public relations or fundraising may be responsible for developing tactics and materials for campaigns, in addition to conducting surveys and doing research on public opinion.
4. Teacher
Teaching positions are ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in political science because students at all educational levels (high school, and college) are expected to take classes in government and civics.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in political science and the relevant licenses from the state or local government, you will normally meet the requirements to teach high school. Earning a more advanced degree in political science may make you eligible to teach political science in community colleges, universities, or both.
5. Reporter Or Commentator On Current Events
If you choose to major in political science, you will likely get abilities in writing, communication, and analysis, and you will also gain potential insights into political institutions and constitutional law. A career in journalism may be an option for someone with these kinds of insights and skills.
Working in journalism typically entails collecting and reporting news for a publication or other type of media organization.
Radio and television as well as print and online publications such as magazines and political journals are examples of these types of news outlets.
Reporters are frequently responsible for conducting research on various news issues, locating and interviewing various news sources, and broadcasting or writing news reports.
Positions and Roles In Politics And The Government Establishment
- Political campaign manager
- Political campaign staff
- Chief of staff
- Communications Coordinator
- Intern/volunteer for a political campaign or issues-oriented not-for-profit organization (this may be a good fit for you while you are in high school or earning your degree)
- Chief of staff
- Communications Coordinator
- Political campaign manager
- Political campaign staff
- Chief of staff
- Communications Coordinator
- Legislative assistant or aide
- Lobbyist
- Media strategist
- Political consultant
- Policy Analyst
- Pollster or public opinion officer
- Political scientist
- Diplomat
- Government official
Additional Fields
- Lawyer
- Consultant
- Diplomat
- Intelligence Analyst
- Professional in International Affairs
- Journalist
- Analyst in Market Research
- Political Science Professor
- Professor
- Public Relations Expert
- Social Media Manager
- Business Executive
Are you getting it now? When it comes to deciding what to do with a degree in political science, the possibilities are virtually endless. Recent graduates of North Central College’s political science program include, for example:
- Assistant state’s attorneys
- Managers of federal government relations
- Associate Directors of Global Operations
- Community Resource Coordinators
- Professionals working for public and private international organizations
- Staff members of state and congressional legislators
- College and graduate school professors
It is essential to take note of the fact that some of these occupations in political science can call for more education at the postgraduate level, such as a master’s degree, Ph.D., or another type of graduate degree program, such as a law degree.
Should you choose to further your education by enrolling in a graduate program for political science, you will have the opportunity to delve more deeply into the specific subfields and topics that are of the most interest to you.
Is Getting A Degree In Political Science Worth It?
The answer is yes for a lot of students: getting a degree in political science is worth it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that jobs in the biological, physical, and social sciences will expand by 5% over the course of the next ten years, which is a rate that is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Lawyers, political scientists, teachers, policy analysts, or public relations and fundraising managers are examples of common jobs in this subject within the discipline of political science.
When you graduate with a degree in political science, you may be qualified for a variety of occupations, including those in public relations, political activism, teaching, and journalism. You might also be in a good position to pursue a professional degree in either law or public policy, depending on your interests.
Summary
There are job opportunities available in the field of political science in a wide variety of fields, including government, education, public relations, social policy, and more. A degree in political science can also serve as a foundation for pursuing professional or postgraduate degrees, which can potentially qualify you for careers that offer a better salary.
If you are interested in studying areas of law, government, and political institutions, then you may want to consider exploring accredited online political science programs in order to find the one that best fits your personal career goals. If this sounds like something that interests you, then you should definitely consider doing so.
