Introduction to Political Science
What Political Scientists Do
Politics and government affect almost every element of our lives, so it makes sense that a political science background is useful in many different fields.
Public Policy
Government policy affects nearly everything that we do, so public policy experts can work in a variety of areas:
- Issue advocate
- Government official
- Activist
- City planner
- Legislative analyst
Campaigns
Many political science majors spend time working on campaigns, which can lead to one of several careers in politics:
- Pollster
- Event organizer
- Public opinion analyst
- Communications director
Law and Law Enforcement
Many students of political science go on to choose one of the following careers in law and law enforcement:
- Attorney
- Judge
- Police officer
- Parole officer
- FBI or CIA agent
- Prison administrator
Business
Although political science does not deal directly with business matters, it does teach the analytical and data interpretation skills needed for many careers in the private sector. Political scientists interested in working in business might take the following kinds of jobs:
- Bank executive
- Career counselor
- Corporate economist
- Government relations manager
- Management analyst
- Systems analyst
Education
Many political scientists earn a PhD and do specialized research and scholarship at a “think tank.” Still others may choose one of the following jobs:
- Professor
- High school teacher
- Educational curriculum developer
- Journal editor
This list covers just a few of the careers open to students of political science majors. As you will see in your studies of political science, the discipline teaches many skills, including critical thinking and analytical reasoning, which can be applied in many fields.
