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What jobs can you get with a political science degree?
Posted by james on January 13, 2025 at 9:12 amI’m a recent graduate with a political science degree, and I’m trying to figure out what career paths align with my skills and interests. What jobs can you get with a political science degree, and which industries or roles have you found most rewarding?
bmf replied 3 weeks, 1 day ago 4 Members · 3 Replies -
3 Replies
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A political science degree is the first step towards a career in politics! With this degree, you can run for office, work on campaigns, or even be a legislative assistant. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of laws, government structure, and what it takes to navigate political challenges. Here’s a quick list of potential paths:
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Campaign Manager
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Political Consultant
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Legislative Aide
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Public Affairs Specialist
Political Party Worker It’s a great field if you’re passionate about affecting real change in your community or at the national level!
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Political science, sure, it looks great on a resume, but let’s be honest, the real-world options aren’t as glamorous as the professors make it sound. You can definitely land jobs, but they’re often less about policy change and more about staying in the system. Some jobs to consider, though:
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Lobbyist
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Policy Analyst
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Public Relations Specialist
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Nonprofit Administrator
Government Analyst You’ll need to keep pushing to climb the ladder, but it’s definitely doable if you know how to play the game.
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Jobs You Can Pursue With a Political Science Degree
A political science degree offers a broad range of career opportunities that span both the public and private sectors. Below are some key career paths, along with the skills and qualifications that can help you succeed in each role.
1. Government and Public Policy
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Legislative Aide
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What They Do: Assist lawmakers in drafting bills, researching policy issues, and managing constituent relations.
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Skills Needed: Strong writing, communication, and research abilities.
Public Affairs Specialist
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What They Do: Work with government agencies or elected officials to communicate policies, initiatives, and public outreach strategies.
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Skills Needed: Excellent public speaking and media relations skills.
2. Political Consulting and Campaigns
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Campaign Manager
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What They Do: Oversee all aspects of political campaigns, including strategy, fundraising, and voter outreach.
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Skills Needed: Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking.
Political Consultant
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What They Do: Advise candidates on campaign strategies, messaging, and public relations.
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Skills Needed: Expertise in public opinion, media, and voter behavior.
3. International Relations and Diplomacy
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Foreign Service Officer (Diplomat)
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What They Do: Represent your country abroad, manage diplomatic relationships, and promote national interests.
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Skills Needed: Strong understanding of international law, cultural sensitivity, and negotiation skills.
Intelligence Analyst
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What They Do: Gather and analyze information related to national security, military intelligence, or foreign threats.
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Skills Needed: Analytical skills, critical thinking, and knowledge of global politics.
4. Nonprofit and Advocacy
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Nonprofit Administrator
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What They Do: Oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations, often with a focus on social, environmental, or political issues.
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Skills Needed: Leadership, fundraising, and project management.
Policy Analyst
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What They Do: Research and evaluate policies, then provide recommendations for changes or improvements.
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Skills Needed: Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information to a non-expert audience.
5. Media and Public Relations
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Public Relations Specialist
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What They Do: Handle communications between government agencies or political figures and the public, including managing crises and crafting key messages.
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Skills Needed: Communication, media relations, and crisis management skills.
Journalist/Political Correspondent
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What They Do: Report on political events, analyze policies, and provide commentary.
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Skills Needed: Research, writing, and investigative skills.
Final Thoughts
A political science degree offers a wide variety of career opportunities in government, advocacy, media, and the private sector. Whether you’re drawn to influencing public policy, working with government agencies, or taking on roles in the nonprofit sector, this degree provides you with the critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills needed to succeed.
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