If you are interested in pursuing a career in the field of political science, you have probably wondered what types of jobs you can get with a political science degree. By reviewing the information found below, you can obtain an answer to this question and several others that pertain to the field of political science.
Political Science – A Brief Overview
Although broadly defined, political science is a discipline that pertains to the study of the state, government, nation, and politics/policies of government institutions. Politics places primacy upon the theoretical and practical aspects of politics, political culture, political behavior, and the analysis of political systems. The field of political science intersects with several others, including sociology, law, economics, history, public administration, anthropology, national politics, public policy, psychology, public administration, and comparative politics. Individuals who obtain a degree in political science will typically complete about 120 hours of coursework which will include general classes in subjects such as math and science as well as courses that are specifically geared towards developing the student’s proficiency in their chosen field of study. Some of the courses political science majors can expect to take will include International Relations, American Politics, Political Thought, Comparative Politics, and Political Science Research Methods.
Careers In Political Science
Once you obtain your degree in political science, there are a plethora of career options that you will have. Some of them include that of a:
Activist, Advocate/Organizer
Campaign Operative
Career Counselor
CIA Analyst or Agent
Corporate Executive
Editor, Online Political Journal
Entrepreneur
Federal Government Analyst
Free-lance writer
High School Government Teacher
Immigration Officer
Information Manager
Issues Analyst, Corporate Social Policy Div.
Journalist
Publisher
Research Analyst
Teacher
University Administrator
University Professor
Urban Policy Planner
Here is a more in-depth look at some of the career options that political science majors have:
1. Political Scientist
A political scientist is an individual who studies the origin, development, and operations of a political system. This study involves the research of political ideas as well as the analysis of policies, governments, and political trends. Political scientists work full-time in an office setting and may sometimes be required to work overtime for the purpose of completing reports and meeting deadlines. About half of all political scientists employed in 2012 worked for the federal government. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, political scientists can expect to earn about $102,000 annually.
2. Political Science Professor
Political science professors teach courses in political science, international relations, and international affairs. Political science professors can engage in teaching or do an amalgam of research and teaching. Average salaries for this profession vary based on location, and New York, California, Texas, District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania have the highest employment level for this occupation.
3. Political Editor
Individuals who love the written word and political science may find that working as an editor is the perfect way for them to get the best of both worlds. Although job responsibilities may vary, editors are typically responsible for planning, reviewing, and revising content that will be published for a newspaper, journal, website, blog, e-newsletter, or some other form of media. There are a variety of political publications that an individual with a political science degree could opt to work for, and the average annual salary is $53,880.
Related Resource: Undergraduate Degrees for Law School
Conclusion
If you are interested in obtaining a degree in political science, you should know that you will have a plethora of career opportunities. Now that you are aware of the types of jobs you can get with a political science degree, you can spend time determining which job positions would be most personally fulfilling and professionally advantageous for you.