Why Choose Political Science?

• Activist, Advocate/Organizer
• Advocacy
• Attorney
• Corporate Manager
• Archivist, Online Political Data
• Budget Examiner or Analyst
• Attorney
• Banking Analyst or Executive
• Business Administrator
• Campaign Manager or Staff
• Career Counselor
• CIA Analyst or Agent
• City Planner
• City Manager
• City Housing Administrator
• Congressional Office/Committee Staffer
• Coordinator of Federal or State Aide
• Communications Director
• Community Organizer
• Congressional Aide
• Congressional Researcher
• Corporate Analyst
• Corporate Public Affairs Advisor
• Corporate Economist
• Corporate Information Analyst
• Corporate Government Relations Advisor
• Corporate Executive
• Corporation Legislative Issues Manager
• Diplomat
• Education Administrator
• Entrepreneur
• Events Planner
• FBI
• Federal Government Analyst
• Consumer Advocate
• Financial Consultant
• Foreign Service Officer
• Foundation President
• Free-lance Witer
• High School Government Teacher
• Historical Archivist
• Human Resources Manager
• Human Rights Advocate
• Immigration Officer
• Information Manager
• Intelligence Officer
• International Agency Officer
• International Market Researcher
• International Research Specialist
• Issues Analyst
• Journalist
• Juvenile Justice Specialist
• Labor Relations Specialist
• Legal Aide
• Legislative Analyst / Coordinator
• Local Government Administrator
• Lobbyist
• Management Analyst
• Media Specialist
• Mediator
• Nonprofit Manager
• Nonprofit Activist
• Plans and Review Officer, USIA
• Policy Analyst
• Political Commentator
• Political Consultant
• Political Correspondent
• Politician
• Pollster
• Public Affairs Research Analyst
• Public Opinion Analyst
• Public Relations Director
• Research Analyst
• Social Media Manager
• Social Worker
• State Government Legislative Aide
• State Legislator
• Survey Analyst
• Systems Analyst
• Teacher
• Technical Writer
• Town Administrator
• Think Tank Researcher
• University Administrator
• University Professor
• Urban Policy Planner
• Web Content Editor  

Many political science graduates work for the government in a variety of capacities, but there are many private sector, international, and non-profit options available because of the multifaceted training political science majors receive. A political science major emphasizes analytical, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills that prepare students well for a wide variety of employment options.  

Government and Advocacy Jobs

A number of government occupations, which can range from city planning to legislature to CIA intelligence, are available to those with a political science degree. Political science degree holders could also choose to advocate or work on behalf of a cause or a community. A thorough knowledge of government policies is necessary for most of these professions, though specific knowledge and particular skills might influence what kind of job one can pursue. Undergraduate political science students can participate in government or nonprofit organizations' internships to prepare for their careers.

Legal Careers

A political science degree program provides a good foundation for law school.  In addition to private practice, lawyers can work at the corporate level or for public sector institutions. They might also work as consumer advocates, judges or district attorneys. Naturally, students who choose this path must move on to law school following completion of their undergraduate degrees and typically need to pass their state bar exams.

Political Consulting and Policy Analysts

Political and policy analysts can be found in government offices, lobbying groups, nonprofit organizations and for private consulting organizations. Policy analysts explore and explain the political world and the need for policy change. Typically policy analysts develop an area of specialization such as environmental or education policy. Policy analysts study public problems using analytical and problem-solving skills to recommend systemic changes.

Lobbyist Professions

Those with backgrounds in political science can find jobs lobbying the government on behalf of interest groups and other non-government organizations. Lobbyists advocate for government policy changes for everything from healthcare to the environment. These individuals work closely with elected officials and their staff to advance the goals of their employers or clients. Courses in political theory, political economy, international relations and government procedures could apply for aspiring lobbyists.

Business Fields

A political science degree can often lead to a career in business, with banking, advertising, personnel and public relations as possible employment goals. Political science students seeking to enter the business world usually need superb verbal and written communication skills as well as a high-level understanding of mathematics and economics. Computers skills are also valuable in business professions.

Journalism Occupations

Political science graduates with interests in film, television, radio and other media could pursue a career in journalism. Political science majors might report on domestic and international policy, either for a politically-oriented media product or as a political correspondent in a more general news organization. Jobs as editors or news directors could also be available.

Teaching Positions

Political science majors might also find jobs teaching children, teenagers or young adults. At the elementary and middle school levels, these individuals might be qualified to teach history, social studies or government, while high school teachers could work with more specific subjects, such as American government. Any number of specific political science courses might be taught at the postsecondary level, depending on the teacher's interests and area of specialization. Teacher certification is required along with a bachelor's degree to teach in public schools, and those who want to teach college students usually must earn a graduate degree.

Political science represents a unique major with one of the broadest sets of knowledge and skills taught. Students learn skills from public speaking to written communication. Political and policy analysis, analytical thinking and statistical analysis are all skills that translate directly to the professional world. Students develop a broad range of knowledge from theory to government institutions to ethics. The broad range of skills and knowledge include:

Skills

• Oral communication and public speaking
• Written communication
• Research skills
• Decision-making
• Problem solving
• Analytical thinking
• Leadership abilities
• Ability to interact with diverse populations
• Ability to develop and market ideas
• Computer literacy
• Ability to work in teams
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Statistical analysis
• Global Awareness

Knowledge

• American Institutions
• Analytical Techniques
• Campaign Techniques and Strategies
• Civic Participation and the Common Good
• Comparative Political Analysis
• International Institutions
• International Political Economy
• Global Culture and Diversity
• Political Ethics
• Political Science Research
• Political Theory
• Public Policy
• Statistical Techniques and Software

• AmeriCorps
• Arizona Attorney General
• Asian and Pacific Islanders American Scholarship Fund
• British Embassy
• British Ministry of Defense
• Boston Mayor’s Office
• CMX Technologies
• City of Quincy
• Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
• Crowe and Paradis, LLP
• Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosie LLP
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute
• Eaton Vance Investment Management
• EF Foundation for Foreign Study
• Fidelity Bank
• Florida Democratic Party
• Fulbright Recipient (Ecuador)
• Governor Mitt Romney's 2012 Presidential Campaign
• The Hubbell Group
• The Jean Mayor USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
• Jesuit Volunteer Core
• Law Offices of Theodore H Goguen Jr, Esq.
• Loan Value Group
• Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Massachusetts Department of Conservation
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Massachusetts State Representative Tom Kennedy
• Massachusetts State Senator Richard Moore
• May Institute
• Millennium Pharmaceuticals
• National District Attorneys Association
• Northeastern University
• Navy Seals
• Organizing for America Campaign to Reelect President Obama
• Partners HealthCare
• Peace Corps
• Pew Research Center
• Portland Superior Court
• Project Hope
• Rhode Island Attorney General
• Rhode Island State Police
• Schwartz Communications
• Spanish Ministry of Education
• State Street Global Advisors
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• United States House Representative Martin Meehan
• United States Senator Bernie Sanders
• United States Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
• W.B Mason

Graduate Schools

• Boston University (Ph.D.)
• Brandeis University
• George Washington University
• London School of Economics
• Syracuse University (M.P.P.)
• University of Denver (Ph.D.)
• University of Maryland (Ph.D.)
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Ph.D., M.P.P.)
• University of North Carolina: Gillings School of Global Public Health

Law Schools

• Boston College
• Boston University
• Catholic University
• New York University
• Northeastern University
• Stanford University
• Suffolk University
• Syracuse University
• University of Vermont
• Villanova University
• William and Mary