The organizations that employ political scientists tend to promise secure, well-compensated careers, but the reality is that the number of qualified candidates is projected to exceed the number of available positions. You have an understanding of how people and groups behave and interact with institutions, and thats what this job is all about. Political science majors develop the writing skills needed to draft compelling press releases and the persuasive skills to assert the benefits of covering a particular story. It might seem like a political science undergraduate degree would prepare you primarily for a career in politics. Political science majors gain some insight into this process as they study the mechanics of organizing campaign events and public appearances by government representatives. Studying political science may help you understand the systems of political thought and government that impact so much of our lives. Political science is unique in that it combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and information. Your final decision about your major and career should take into account your unique values, skills, personality traits, and interests. The research, communication, and data analysis skills acquired in the study of political science also have wide applications in both the private and public sectors. Find PR specialist and other public relations jobs on The Muse, Average salary: $44,241Salary range: $33,000$61,000. If youre interested in teaching political science as a college professor or working as a political scientist, youll often need an advanced degree. If youre interested in a career in politics, it may be a good strategy to use your political science degree as a stepping stone toward a higher degree or law school. In most cases, working in journalism means gathering and reporting news for a media outlet. Internships also allow you to experience working in specific areas of interest, such as state governance, international relations, and immigration policy. In our Ask a College Advisor series, experienced advisors provide an insider look at the college experience by answering your questions about college admissions, finances, and student life. Policy analysts rely on strong critical thinking, writing, and research skills as they formulate statements about the nature and impact of proposals for public policy. Thinking about opportunities to make a difference in the world post-graduation puts you in good company with other poli sci majors, Schill says: Georgetown students often look at organizations where they can have an impact helping to better the lives of others via various nonprofit organizations or post-graduate service organizations.. With additional work experience or education, you may pursue any number of intriguing careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5% job growth in life, physical, and social science occupations over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations. [2022 Guide], 2022 Best Online Child Development Degrees [Bachelors Guide], 2022 Best Online EdD in Organizational Leadership [Doctorate Guide], 2022 Best Online Associates in Paralegal Degrees, 2022 Best Online Legal Studies Degrees [Bachelors Guide], 2022 Best Online Master of Legal Studies [MLS Degree Guide], Reporter, Correspondent, or Broadcast News Analyst. Roles in public relations or fundraising could involve creating campaign strategies and materials or conducting polls and doing public opinion research. Many political science majors go on to law school to qualify for a law career or pursue political ambitions. Youre also likely to develop proficient communication skills. Average salary: $51,585Salary range: $35,000$79,000This job can encompass anything and everything around running social media accounts for a business, nonprofit, person, or group. You might need to come up with ideas for content; write captions for posts; take photos; respond in real time to questions from users, constituents, or customers online; share and promote services or content; grow the accounts followers; and otherwise engage with an audience. Youd potentially start as some sort of aide, administrator, coordinator, or other entry-level position and work your way up to the head of a campaign, but you dont necessarily need an advanced degree to get there. If you're pursuing a career as a public servant, an MPA could be preferable to a master's in political science. Although he doesnt work in politics, he uses the skills from his major every day. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Market research analysts can tap into the knowledge of research standards that the political science major possesses when designing scientifically viable studies. Read on to learn about this flexible degree and its extensive career options. Many attorneys work for governmental agencies where the political science graduates knowledge of political structures is beneficial. Legislative assistants research policy issues, track legislation, and survey the positions of other legislators on pending legislation. Theyre often looking for volunteers, so you can start contributing meaningfully as a student. However, it's important to note that, as with many professions, political science is a competitive field. As with other majors, salaries and career possibilities for political science degree-holders can be enhanced with advanced education. Combining a political science degree with a professional degree in law is a strategic foundation for working as a lawyer, a legislative analyst, or as an elected lawmaker. Theres always demand for well-informed political science graduates. High school teaching positions may also be an option for you upon graduation, but some additional licensing steps are often required. If youre wanting to apply to jobs for political science majors right out of college, then you may find positions in government offices or in certain nonprofit organizations or NGOs. In an entry-level program coordinator role, the job responsibilities can vary, but encompass everything needed to execute and run a particular initiativefor instance, the rollout of a new capital campaign to raise much-needed funds. As a political science major, youll learn about lawmaking, political institutions, legislative policy, political trends, and public opinion. Sometimes considered an offshoot of political science, public administration puts policy into practice. 4 Top Skills You Gain as a Political Science Major, Some Quick Advice for Job Searching as a Political Science Major. Since political science allows you to hone wildly varied capabilities, your first step is to find the three or four skills that you excel at and enjoy the most. A bachelor's degree in political science can be earned as either a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS). Political campaign staff members help to formulate and execute campaign strategy. Resumes and cover letters are persuasive pieces. You could be working with individuals trying to get visas or with a nonprofit to get laws passed to combat the climate crisis. If you want to work on the ground to ensure peoples rights are respected and protected, social work might be a perfect role for you. Whether you pursue a career in politics and policy or translate your analytical and communicative skills to the private sphere, the degree's potential return on investment can be quite high. Learn more about some of the best careers for those with a passion for political systems. A master's degree in political science can prepare you to earn a Ph.D. or to perform research at nonprofit or public sector organizations. An advanced degree in political science may qualify you to teach political science classes in community colleges or universities. Public relations representatives influence public opinion about their clients based largely on placing stories with the media. An online bachelor's in political science isn't just for future legislators. Political science is also one of the traditional majors for undergraduates on their way to law school. Here are 5 popular pathways you may consider when thinking about political science jobs. A Ph.D. is required to work in academia and to hold specific leadership roles. Interested students often get into journalism as a fellow or intern and work their way up. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Theres a leadership component to poli sci, Birmingham says. Entry-level political science degree jobs in teaching, nonprofit work, local government, or public relations are likely to earn an average of $45,676 (National Association of Colleges and Employers). Political science graduate students study advanced political theory, conduct original research, and work to enter the broader political conversation by publishing their findings. Political consultants may also work for public interest groups and help them to formulate strategies for advancing their causes. Reporters often investigate news topics, find and interview news sources, and broadcast or write news reports. MyDegreeGuide.com. A bachelors in political science may be a good fit for you if youre excited about social policies or political philosophy. Political theory, philosophy, economics, behavior and institutions, security, peace and conflict, race and ethnicity, thesis. They tap the political science majors understanding of political groups to assess developments in volatile areas of the world. They can have a particular beat (or focus)such as a particular election, candidate, or topicor simply take on general assignments across political topics. Work experience at places like MSNBC, the U.S. Congress, or Amnesty International can help poli/sci majors land their first full-time jobs in media, politics, or nonprofit work. The current academic market is full of graduates vying for a limited number of academic positions, and outside academia, the public policy world comes with its own set of professional challenges. Alison founded, Best Jobs for Graduates With a Political Science Degree, Career Choices for Political Science Majors, 10 Job Options for Political Science Majors, 10. Public administration a related but distinct field to political science prepares students for civil service work in the public and nonprofit sectors at the administrative level. Youre helping people understand their value and communicating that.. Advanced political theory, quantitative research, modeling, statistics, dissertation. Political science also entails theoretical and verbal analysis as well as political debate. In regards to a political science background, you may be interested in civil law, civil rights, or social and public policy. Compared with political science, public administration is less theoretical and more pragmatic, with a bigger focus on organization, conduct/ethics, and budgeting. In your courses that cover the origins of different political theories and systems, youll often compare competing political ideologies and practices, such as democracy, communism, socialism, and fascism. Political science majors know how opinions are formed and influenced by various media and can be instrumental in formulating and implementing these plans. While as a course of study political science focuses on systems of power and governance, the practical abilities and thought patterns rehearsed in class are applicable beyond just politics. Heres howand which jobs you might want to consider. These analysts study particular groups that pose a threat to security, and analyze patterns of leadership and popular support. Your study of US politics will likely include insights into the history of the US Constitution, theories of democratic governance, the origins and role of the 3 branches of government, the role of political parties, and US political law and policy. Common political science careers in this field include lawyer, political scientist, teacher, policy analyst, or public relations and fundraising manager. Check out these 10 jobsonly two of which require an advanced degree. Political science is a versatile degree. in Comparative Literature from the University of California - Berkeley and a B.A. What Can You Do with a Political Science Degree? An advanced degree in political science or a professional degree in law may open doors to even more jobs and higher earnings. Depending on your concentration, you may learn more about either the US constitution and systems of government or about foreign political systems. Lots of employers and public figures know they need social media accounts but dont know what to do with them, so you can start as an intern, a social media coordinator, or a marketing assistant and build your career from there. Political science majors know how to write, research, talk to people, and debate, and if you care about politics, this is one of the best ways to not just engage with the subject but to actively contribute to informing readers (and voters) and holding those in power accountable. If you pursue an advanced degree in political science down the road, a masters or law degree may qualify you for postsecondary teaching jobs, for jobs with a law firm, or for research and analysis work in a number of settings. In addition to jobs in politics, there are many other career options to consider. This subfield specifically looks at how systems diverge and align to discover general laws and theories. Majoring in political science means learning about theories of government and competing systems of government. Political science majors develop strong writing and research skills. While some college programs divide the subject in different ways, political science traditionally contains four subfields. HR professionals manage the people within an organization, with responsibilities including onboarding and offboarding employees when they join or leave a team, offering perks and services to workers, supporting recruitment and professional development efforts, and handling disputes and legal matters. An online bachelors in political science may lead to strategic internships and entry-level jobs in a range of exciting settings and fields. View the most relevant school for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to find your college home. They work towards building a brand or favorable public image for the candidate. You may also seek internships if youre interested in support work for a legislator or lobbying. Not sufficient for most jobs directly related to political science, but can prepare students for office administration. As a public relations professional, youre trying to influence public belief that its worthwhile to buy or support a person, product, service, or brand, which speaks to the persuasion and debate abilities youve likely honed in your degree: You may have already learned how to sell a concept to someone who might not understand why its a good idea. College-Student Leadership and Activities Director, 10 Jobs for Graduates With an Economics Degree, Best Jobs for Graduates With an English Degree, Top 10 Best Jobs for Communication Majors, Interested in Politics? Students of political science hone their presentation and verbal communication skills as they share their work with faculty and peers. This includes the study of US constitutional law, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Alison Doyle is one of the nations foremost career experts and has counseled both students and corporations on hiring practices. You may also be well positioned for pursuing a professional degree in law or public policy. Social media managers must understand various social media platforms and orchestrate campaigns to shape the perceptions of their users. Plus, its a lot of paperwork, organization, and documentationwhich all those research projects and papers prepared you well for. While political scientists perform vital work at many agencies and organizations, most work for the federal government. Public relations specialists often organize and publicize press conferences and other events in order to attract media attention and get the word out about their client. Combine that with strong writing capabilities and the ability to speak directly to people, and youd flourish in PR. Political science careers include work in government, political campaigning and lobbying, teaching, nonprofit leadership, journalism, and public policy research and advocacy. Since a great deal of political theory has roots in philosophy and public advocacy, you will typically learn a lot about the ideological origins of competing political systems. Working directly with patientswho might vary from students to seniors to military veteranssocial workers address a wide variety of social issues that individuals may be facing and serve as advocates from an educational and occupational (and sometimes medical) standpoint. The work of market researchers often involves surveying consumer reactions to potential or current products and services. Public opinion is increasingly shaped by social media. Market researchers analyze how consumers will respond to products or services, much like political science students assess the reactions of potential voters to candidates. Finally, keep an open mind, and get creative. As a political science major, you may develop insights into political systems and constitutional law as well as skills in writing, communication, and analysis. In some cases, you may earn upwards of $100,000. You could be coordinating events, writing communications materials, doing administrative work, working with other professionals, organizing an agenda, or otherwise doing project management in service of that capital campaign. Find lawyer, paralegal, and other legal jobs on The Muse. They study different models for leadership and gain a historical perspective regarding the relative effectiveness of different approaches. You could be a trial lawyer, defending clients in civil or criminal cases. Students practice and develop new methods for the scientific study of politics using experiments, statistics, econometrics, and formal theory. Your job could also include organizing other elements of a media coverage strategy, such as videos, blog posts, social media, or other digital content. As a political science major, you may qualify for a range of jobs in public relations, political advocacy, teaching, and journalism. You might apply your knowledge and advocacy skills in local government work or in the public nonprofit arena. In addition, analysts use their understanding of the political and legislative process to enlist the support of individuals who can help advance initiatives. Political consultants use the knowledge of the political process gained by political science majors to devise strategies for candidates to influence voters and gain support in their campaigns for office. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, political science degree positions involve research and public policy analysis, law and politics, teaching, public relations, and public nonprofit leadership. A bachelor's degree in political science meets the qualifications for a wide variety of entry-level, white-collar positions that deal with administration, communication, and/or data. Many colleges offer undergraduate and graduate programs in public administration, while others offer public policy programs or combine public administration with business administration. The skills you gain studying political scienceor something very similar, such as government, international affairs, or public policycould make you marketable for a variety of roles. Lots of students are attracted to political science because they care deeply about political activity and social issues. You may also pursue a masters degree to qualify for more positions, including postsecondary teaching jobs or leadership roles in policy analysis or advocacy. Youre studying institutions and institutional behavior and you get a really strong historical understanding of leadership., Average salary: $55,067Salary range: $42,000$72,000. In addition, knowledge of foreign languages used by potential terrorists helps analysts to investigate potential threats. Average salary: $85,920Salary range: $51,000$158,000 The skys the limit on what you could do with a law degree, which may be why law school is such a popular track for poli sci majors. Lawyers select sympathetic jurors and frame their cases in favorable ways when there are controversial political issues related to trials. Igoe: I go to the store, not Her huge ego. You can follow her, ask questions, and suggest story ideas on Instagram or Twitter. They may work full-time in newsrooms or on a per-story basis as freelancers. Many students may want to pursue these areas as a career whether in terms of research, advocacy, or direct action but don't know how to get started. Internships, particularly paid internships, often lead to full-time jobs. College-student leadership and activities officers develop leadership training exercises and advise leaders about effective and ethical ways to exercise their authority. Social sciences are usually considered a "soft" science, compared with a "hard," objective science like chemistry or physics; however, political science is becoming increasingly data-driven. Political interns can find a career foothold in many industries, such as education and technology. Other career options include jobs in local government planning, teaching, journalism, public relations, and social policy work. You can apply that to a lot of career paths. Here are some of the most transferable skills youll hone: How can you apply these skills in your career and which real-world professions would be a particularly good fit for a political science major? Like political science majors, policy analysts must devise a sound thesis and build a persuasive argument for or against the adoption of a particular policy initiative. The ability to research, analyze, and deeply understand a situation and then craft and communicate compelling arguments are crucial to work your way up as a legal assistant or paralegal (which do not necessarily require an advanced degree) and to succeed as a lawyer. They discover how to make a convincing argument and back it up with facts. Political theory, comparative politics, international relations, American government and politics, political methodology. We answer your questions about earning a bachelor's in political science degree -- career outlook, admissions, cost, and program information. Many of the career paths open to political science graduates deal directly with textual analysis, data crunching, and persuasive communication. If you choose political science as a major, youll have a wide variety of options open to you after graduation. Senators, assembly members, representatives, and other elected officials at all levels of government hire assistants to help them to carry out their duties. As a political scientist, you might also seek work in elected government. Political science majors study the role of survey research and opinion polling in campaigning. Students evaluate the development and effectiveness of different political systems and consider how these systems can provide for citizens and support values like order and freedom. You could be a corporate lawyer working out arbitration for a business. There are political science positions in the fields of business, government, teaching, public relations, social policy, and more. If youre still wondering what to do with a political science degree, you might be surprised to discover the variety of jobs out there. Political campaign staff help manage the candidate's social media imprint and organize events to gain exposure for candidates. in Literature from the University of California - Santa Cruz. Even though more are interested in politics, few are knowledgeable about it. Don't underestimate the power of a Political Science degree! This is especially true in political hubs like Washington, D.C., and New York. They also learn how opinions are formed, and the role of the media, as they research current events during their studies. They learn how public policy is formulated and the impact of policy on the social and economic status of the populace. Katherine J. Igoe is a full-time Boston-based freelance writer and part-time contributing editor at Marie Claire. These workers may survey potential voters to discern their reaction to a candidate and the basis of their opinion. These may include positions in public relations and campaign work. Political science majors refine their analytical skills while exploring policy initiatives and considering the ramifications of government actions. They must present their findings to clients and co-workers and back up their recommendations with data. As a political science major, you may use your developed understanding of public opinion trends and surveys to work in public relations or fundraising. But even if you dont want to work in politics, political science can be a solid foundation for many careers.