Jake
What type of job will I be qualified for with a bachelors degree in political science?
I am very passionate about politics and have decided to study it. #international #federal-government #international-affairs #humanities #us-government #governance
3 answers
Shannon Farley
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Jake,
I have a degree in social policy which is a subset of political science. Currently, I am the CEO of a nonprofit organization. I have worked in consulting, philanthropy, and lobbying.
Political science at the undergraduate level is theoretical. You have to work in the field to get real experience. You can do that while you are in school to see if you like it. Elected officials have internship programs as do many nonprofits working in the political sphere.
The good news is that a political science major is much like any other liberal arts degree. You can do almost anything with it. My closest peers from college work in a variety of fields. My fellow graduates are a journalist, a hedge fund manager, a district attorney, a clean energy lobbyist, an elected official, a teacher, and several techies.
You can be anything.
Shannon
Jim Van Arsdale
Jim’s Answer
A political science degree is a broad enough major to qualify for many jobs so it really depends on where your career interest lies. If politics is an area of interest, I would suggest reaching out to a state or national representative that is running for office or re-election. There is almost always a spot available for one who wishes to volunteer and has the passion and desire to get involved. Who knows, you might find this is a first step towards a career. It may also lead you to decide that politics may not be for you. That is fine too as there are many opportunities in different fields that may also be of interest.
Many political science majors find themselves heading to law school, but many find positions in other fields. What really is most important is to find something you enjoy and focus on that. I think you will be much happier in the long run.
Good luck...
Jim
