Social media marketing can be on a political campaignor notbut it requires those analytical skills, Birmingham says, along with the ability to communicate and persuade. You may pursue a job as a policy analyst, legislative analyst, journalist, or news analyst. As a lawyer, you may also find yourself equipped for jobs in public policy and advocacy work in government or with a nonprofit organization. Not sufficient for most jobs directly related to political science, but can prepare students for office administration. 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. Political science deals directly with the philosophy and practice of political systems, but the skills developed through political science courses are applicable to an array of industries. If you are working as a lawyer, policy analyst, college teacher, political consultant, fundraiser, or manager in public relations, you should easily earn far more than $50,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). 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. As a political science major, you may use your developed understanding of public opinion trends and surveys to work in public relations or fundraising. A financial analyst could be making reports on how a division is succeeding at its goals, creating models for pricing of products and services, or working on revenue projections for various business scenarios. A bachelor's degree in political science is also considered a good springboard to public administration programs at the graduate level. Yes, a political science degree is worth it for many students. This is why prospective college students eager to make an impact on the world should consider majoring in political science. This includes the study of US constitutional law, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. While some college programs divide the subject in different ways, political science traditionally contains four subfields. Findsocial media managerand other social media jobs on The Muse. Youre also likely to develop proficient communication skills. 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. Average salary: $48,500Salary range: $34,000$69,000 Social work will require you to get a masters degree. If you want to build a career in government, the foreign service, or in researching or teaching political science, then this may be a beneficial major for you to consider. Political science majors refine their analytical skills while exploring policy initiatives and considering the ramifications of government actions. Completing an internship after graduating college is generally essential to securing a political science job. A bachelors in political science may be a good fit for you if youre excited about social policies or political philosophy. Average salary: $49,785Salary range: $36,000$73,000Public relations is all about taking somethinga business, person, brand, or serviceand making people aware of it. Political science also entails theoretical and verbal analysis as well as political debate. Staffers use the ability of the political science major to study current political issues and assess voter reactions to a candidate's platform. Political science careers include work in government, political campaigning and lobbying, teaching, nonprofit leadership, journalism, and public policy research and advocacy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, political scientist jobs are projected to increase by 5% as fast as the average growth rate for all occupations between 2018 and 2028. They need to learn how to juggle a caseload of patients, work with local and national resources, and conduct evaluations to assess whether a particular intervention is working. They attempt to influence media coverage of candidates by offering favorable stories and positive takes on the past performance of the candidate. Keep exploring! Studying political science may help you understand the systems of political thought and government that impact so much of our lives. Political science is a versatile degree. Lawyers working for political figures, interest groups, and lobbying firms use the legal research skills developed by political science majors to conduct research about legislative and policy issues. If youre pursuing a career as a public servant, an MPA could be preferable to a masters in political science. Through in-depth credit for prior learning guides and accelerated degree tips, we want to help you realize your dream of finishing college in less time! This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. The course of study for a BS in political science typically includes mathematics and statistics. You may also pursue a masters degree to qualify for more positions, including postsecondary teaching jobs or leadership roles in policy analysis or advocacy. High school teaching positions may also be an option for you upon graduation, but some additional licensing steps are often required. These outlets include radio, television, magazines, political journals, or digital news outlets. Students practice and develop new methods for the scientific study of politics using experiments, statistics, econometrics, and formal theory. When Schill is advising students, she says, I often ask them Father Himes three questions: What are you good at (academic or otherwise)? If youre still wondering what to do with a political science degree, you might be surprised to discover the variety of jobs out there. Theyre often looking for volunteers, so you can start contributing meaningfully as a student. A political science degree may also act as a foundation for professional or advanced degrees that may qualify you for higher paying careers. As you advance to more senior campaign roles, youll also need to manage and lead others, a responsibility your major prepared you well for. Senators, assembly members, representatives, and other elected officials at all levels of government hire assistants to help them to carry out their duties. In regards to a political science background, you may be interested in civil law, civil rights, or social and public policy. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Lawyers select sympathetic jurors and frame their cases in favorable ways when there are controversial political issues related to trials. A bachelor's degree in political science can be earned as either a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS). Political science majors study the role of survey research and opinion polling in campaigning. Reporters often investigate news topics, find and interview news sources, and broadcast or write news reports. in Comparative Literature from the University of California - Berkeley and a B.A. You may also be well positioned for pursuing a professional degree in law or public policy. Finally, keep an open mind, and get creative. With additional work experience or education, you may pursue any number of intriguing careers. Attorneys formulate and deliver arguments on behalf of their clients and attempt to influence decision makers about the merits of their stance. [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. 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. What drew me to political science was the content, my professors, and the way we used writing, analytical skills, presentations, and engagement on a different level than a lecture, says Tim Birmingham, who studied poli sci at St. Michaels College, now owns a career coaching business, and works with students at his alma mater. For 14 years, MyDegreeGuide.com has been dedicated to helping students like you finish your degree faster. As a political science major, you may develop insights into political systems and constitutional law as well as skills in writing, communication, and analysis. You could be a trial lawyer, defending clients in civil or criminal cases. Check out these 10 jobsonly two of which require an advanced degree. If youre interested in teaching political science as a college professor or working as a political scientist, youll often need an advanced degree. Youd need to look into the physical and psychological requirements before you pursue this path, so be sure to understand what you need to do before you apply. These may include positions in public relations and campaign work. But if you love data and communication, this is a terrific combination. They work towards building a brand or favorable public image for the candidate. Keith has a Ph.D. and a M.A. Why is political science a fit here? Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale. They may work full-time in newsrooms or on a per-story basis as freelancers. If you're passionate about working as a political scientist, you should consider graduate school, which can prepare you to do research in an academic or public policy setting. With a master's degree, graduates can work as political scientists, high school teachers, and senior analysts. Theres a leadership component to poli sci, Birmingham says. Advanced political theory, quantitative research, modeling, statistics, dissertation. 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? Intelligence analysts work for clandestine agencies of the government like the CIA and National Security Agency. They also learn how opinions are formed, and the role of the media, as they research current events during their studies. They oversee the use of financial resources and investigate irregularities in student-run clubs and programs. In this field, you'll study concepts of ethics, justice, and democracy; learn about systems of government and political behavior; and apply theory to current political events. They study different models for leadership and gain a historical perspective regarding the relative effectiveness of different approaches. However, there are four million professionals with poli sci degreesand their jobs range from attorneys to social workers to financial analysts. Legislative assistants respond to constituent inquiries and help to resolve problems of citizens within their jurisdiction. If youre considering the major, or if youre currently a major and hoping to do something other than work in government or as a poli sci teacher, youll be relieved to know that itll set you up to succeed in plenty of other jobs. Internships, particularly paid internships, often lead to full-time jobs. Legislative assistants research policy issues, track legislation, and survey the positions of other legislators on pending legislation. Although he doesnt work in politics, he uses the skills from his major every day. 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 lawyer, paralegal, and other legal jobs on The Muse. Political consultants help to brand candidates and repair damaged images. 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. Updated on July 22, 2022. Political science majors work in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In practice, the job entails interviewing people, researching, collecting data, looking for new stories, covering live events, and sometimes even following a politician around throughout their campaign. You may find yourself interacting with elected officials for campaign consulting, lobbying, or performing policy analysis. These workers may survey potential voters to discern their reaction to a candidate and the basis of their opinion. According to PayScale, political science majors can start out earning $50,000-$70,000 as research analysts, program and account managers, and marketing professionals. Market researchers analyze how consumers will respond to products or services, much like political science students assess the reactions of potential voters to candidates. Interested students often get into journalism as a fellow or intern and work their way up. Sometimes considered an offshoot of political science, public administration puts policy into practice. Political science majors know how opinions are formed and influenced by various media and can be instrumental in formulating and implementing these plans. They can have a particular beat (or focus)such as a particular election, candidate, or topicor simply take on general assignments across political topics. Political science graduate students study advanced political theory, conduct original research, and work to enter the broader political conversation by publishing their findings. Political science is a versatile degree that can apply to many professions. They discover how to make a convincing argument and back it up with facts. 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. If both options exist, their requirements will be slightly different. 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. Your final decision about your major and career should take into account your unique values, skills, personality traits, and interests. Political science majors study how laws are made and the comparative structures of governments across the world. 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. In addition, analysts use their understanding of the political and legislative process to enlist the support of individuals who can help advance initiatives. Meets basic requirements for some entry-level positions at agencies, nonprofits, and companies. Compared with political science, public administration is less theoretical and more pragmatic, with a bigger focus on organization, conduct/ethics, and budgeting. They help set standards for elections and monitor proceedings to make sure that student rights are upheld. This could be incredibly relevant work for a poli sci major: Youre working in government on important cases and projects. For some positions, getting started as an intern while youre still in school can be a helpful way to improve your odds of finding a job later on. They learn how public policy is formulated and the impact of policy on the social and economic status of the populace. Political theory, philosophy, economics, behavior and institutions, security, peace and conflict, race and ethnicity, thesis. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. It can springboard a career in politics and policy, nonprofit work, business, media, or education. Prepares students to transfer to a bachelor's program in political science as a junior. There are many political issues that are vital to college-aged students. Roles in public relations or fundraising could involve creating campaign strategies and materials or conducting polls and doing public opinion research. 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. We answer your questions about earning a bachelor's in political science degree -- career outlook, admissions, cost, and program information. Political science majors develop strong writing and research skills. Working in public relations could mean supporting, advising, or managing a political campaign too. A social media manager is even more important now that brands and organizations must address diversity and inclusion and other pressing matters every day. Political science is also one of the traditional majors for undergraduates on their way to law school. You may also develop keen persuasive writing and debate skills. Some apply their training directly to politics and policy, but the hard and soft skills developed through a political science curriculum can lead to diverse career paths. They assess the interest of constituents regarding current political issues and present the views of their elected officials within a positive framework. Alison Doyle is one of the nations foremost career experts and has counseled both students and corporations on hiring practices. 4 Top Skills You Gain as a Political Science Major, Some Quick Advice for Job Searching as a Political Science Major. Some political science majors will go on to get a professional law degree. These insights and skills can translate into to a career in journalism. Social media managers must understand various social media platforms and orchestrate campaigns to shape the perceptions of their users. If you're pursuing a career as a public servant, an MPA could be preferable to a master's in political science. Students study human nature, citizen behavior, and the moral purpose of government, learning from a mix of ancient Greek philosophers and modern political theorists. With a bachelors degree in political science and any necessary state or local licenses, youll typically qualify to be a high school teacher. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. 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. MyDegreeGuide.com. All political science degrees, whether an associate degree or Ph.D., fall under social sciences. 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. An online bachelors in political science may lead to strategic internships and entry-level jobs in a range of exciting settings and fields. According to Census Bureau data from the 2018 midterm elections, voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds jumped 16% from 2014. 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. Home What Can You Do with a Political Science Degree? 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. And what does the world need you to be? 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. 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. They help draft and edit the language for bills, and assess the legal precedents for pending legislation. These analysts study particular groups that pose a threat to security, and analyze patterns of leadership and popular support. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. 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. A successful career in politics and policy takes a lot of networking, perhaps more than any other career track. But even if you dont want to work in politics, political science can be a solid foundation for many careers. Financial analysts analyze trends, reports, data, sales, and other facts to evaluate past performance and help support decisions for the future. If you choose political science as a major, youll have a wide variety of options open to you after graduation. You have an understanding of how people and groups behave and interact with institutions, and thats what this job is all about. Intended to lead to a doctorate, but can replace work experience for professional advancement. 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. If youre a poli sci major who understands the current internet culture, can research an audiences needs, and is able to speak its language via social media, this role might make good use of some of your skills. A retired educator, Keith lives in Berkeley and researches and writes about trends in education leadership, innovation, and policy. Find PR specialist and other public relations jobs on The Muse, Average salary: $44,241Salary range: $33,000$61,000. You may also seek internships if youre interested in support work for a legislator or lobbying. 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. They use political savvy in other areas of the law as well. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. In some cases, you may earn upwards of $100,000. Igoe: I go to the store, not Her huge ego. You can follow her, ask questions, and suggest story ideas on Instagram or Twitter. 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. However, career prospects will vary depending on whether you pursue political science as a career or as a launchpad for other job opportunities. 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. You might apply your knowledge and advocacy skills in local government work or in the public nonprofit arena. 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. Common political science careers in this field include lawyer, political scientist, teacher, policy analyst, or public relations and fundraising manager. 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. However, it's important to note that, as with many professions, political science is a competitive field. If you find yourself struggling to qualify for the best jobs or you want to explore alternate career options, you may find internships beneficial for resume-building, career exploration, and professional networking. Political science majors often do well at nonprofits because they care passionately about particular causes, from civics to free speech to the rights of underrepresented people. Find HR generalist and other human resources jobs on The Muse, Average salary: $61,678Salary range: $48,000$82,000. She has given hundreds of interviews on the topic for outlets including The New York Times, BBC News, and LinkedIn. You may research or consult on political systems or political trends, or you may perform public policy research, advocacy, and consulting work. 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. Copyright 2007-2021. Many attorneys work for governmental agencies where the political science graduates knowledge of political structures is beneficial. Katherine J. Igoe is a full-time Boston-based freelance writer and part-time contributing editor at Marie Claire. This is especially true in political hubs like Washington, D.C., and New York. 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. Professors can offer valuable industry connections, and peers may become coworkers and competitors. Your position might not have been invented yetthats how much things are changing.. Internships also allow you to experience working in specific areas of interest, such as state governance, international relations, and immigration policy. You can do this work at the entry-level; in fact, the 2020 employment report for Georgetown University students shows a significant number of them pursued roles in finance. You could become a lobbyist or work with a representative to craft legislation at the local, state, or national level. 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? 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. Average salary: $60,204Salary range: $40,000$97,000 Working on and contributing meaningfully to a candidates campaign would be a great fit for someone who loves politics and wants to be deeply embedded in the political process. A bachelors in political science may open even more doors if you go on to get a masters or professional degree, which could qualify you to work as a professor, political scientist, or lawyer. Learn more about some of the best careers for those with a passion for political systems. In addition, knowledge of foreign languages used by potential terrorists helps analysts to investigate potential threats. They recruit, train, and supervise volunteers, as well as raising money to fund the campaign. Seek out early job and internship experiences as much as you can. 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. Over the past decade, the growing importance of data analysis has led to the emergence of a fifth subfield in political science. They prepare briefings for their legislator and other office staff. Traditional or accelerated political science degrees not only offer a fascinating course of study but can also be your stepping stone to lucrative jobs in a range of interesting fields. Youre helping people understand their value and communicating that.. An online bachelor's in political science isn't just for future legislators. You can get into HR as an entry-level employee after gaining experience with a summer job or internship, depending on the organization. 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. You might often see analyst roles within a financial or government institution, but you could just as easily be working with a startup, nonprofit, or other organization thats trying to make sense of its numbers. 10 Great Jobs to Kickstart Your Career, Best Jobs for Graduates With an Anthropology Degree, Best Jobs for Graduates With a Mathematics Degree, Here's a List of the Top 10 Jobs for Marketing Majors, Top 8 Ways to Make the Most out of Your Liberal Arts Degree, Career Options for Environmental Studies Majors, Discover the Top 10 Jobs for Business Majors, Top 10 Job Options for Psychology Majors to Consider.