Even if it may seem very clear to everyone that studying political science is a lead to being a politician in the world of today, it does not however leave one out to distrust the other career opportunities in political science as many of these great chances may help one truly make that mark in not just our local milieu but also in the international labor market.
After all is said and done, what can we describe as political science?
Political science, also known as politicology in so many universities, is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and laws. Modern political science can generally be divided into the three subdisciplines of comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.
Political science programs offer insight into how leaders acquire and maintain power, how social movements start and gain momentum and how governments and other institutions can be run with efficiency and transparency.
But then, one common misconception about this great course, POLITICAL SCIENCE, is that it is only a good fit for a career in real and international politics. The answer is actually ‘No!’ You don’t have to love politics to be involved in political science. This is because political science is the study of power and institutions and behavior; given this, therefore, it goes far beyond just analyzing politics–it is a course that give one the leverage over almost every section of human life.
What are then the other career opportunities in political science?
Career Opportunities in Political Science.
As political scientists or graduates of political science are professionally eligible and competent enough to perform in making public policies and public administration so are they intellectually efficient in dissecting public law and political philosophy. In the certainty of this fact, graduates of this university course must believe that they will, upon graduation, have the following career opportunities in political science in the labor market. All they have to do is select which career will be fine for them.
Legislative Assistant
If you are interested in law, but you are not ready to apply to law school, working as a legal assistant or paralegal could be a good choice. Legal assistants and paralegals generally share the same job responsibilities, although you can also take the NALA exam to become a certified paralegal. Legal assistants and paralegals collaborate with lawyers to create and maintain legal files, conduct research, and draft legal documents. Political science majors are particularly well-equipped for this job due to their strong research backgrounds.
Public Relations or Communications Specialist
Public relations specialists can work on behalf of a political campaign, for an agency, or in-house for a company or organization to draft press releases, organize press conferences, and interface with the media on behalf of clients. Public relations specialists must be able to find compelling angles to a story in order to persuade a media outlet to publicize the story. PR professionals often pitch stories to the media over the phone or via email. The writing and research skills that political science majors develop are essential for success in this field. This PR career is one of the career opportunities in political science that are up for grabs.
Market Researchers
Market researchers are public relations officers. They use data to evaluate market conditions that will influence how consumers will respond to a company’s products or services. Market researchers might send out surveys or polls, run focus groups, or observe consumer reactions to current products and services. This is similar to how political science majors study surveys and opinion polls as they relate to the public’s perception of a political candidate or social issue. This is one of the most reliable career opportunities in political science that are granted available.
Policy analysts
Policy analysts research and evaluate different laws in order to influence public policy. Most policy analysts choose one area to specialize in, like cybersecurity or environmental policy. These professionals can work for the government, lobbying groups, nonprofit organizations, news outlets, NGOs, and more. Strong data analysis and written communication skills are important for this field, especially when writing reports and sharing an argument for or against the adoption of a new law or policy.
Lobbyist
Lobbyists are advocates who work on behalf of an organization, community, or group in order to persuade lawmakers to support legislation that would benefit their client’s cause. Lobbyists must be adept in written and oral communication, since their job responsibilities often include preparing press releases, news articles, or brochures; taking part in press conferences; and meeting with legislators to give presentations or share information about their cause. Lobbyists can work for any number of industries, ranging from education, to healthcare organizations, to financial services.
Diplomat or Foreign Service Officer or Political Ambassadors
For political science students who are interested in international affairs, a career as a foreign service officer is a way to foster positive relationships between countries. Foreign service officers are employed by the U.S. Department of State and stationed in countries around the world. Foreign service officers usually follow one of five tracks: consular (protecting Americans traveling abroad), economic (facilitating economic partnerships and supporting U.S. businesses in other countries), management (running U.S. embassies), political (analyzing political events in the host country), or public diplomacy (explaining American values and policies to people in the host country). To become a foreign service officer, candidates must take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), pass an oral examination, and receive security clearance.
Professor or Lecturer
If you care about educating students about our political system (or comparative political systems), a career as a social studies or political science teacher could be the path for you. Charter schools and private schools often do not require an education degree, although if you pursue a teaching certification, you can teach civics or government & politics classes in public schools. If you are interested in teaching political science or international relations at the college level, you will need additional credentials such as a master’s degree or a doctorate.
Campaigner Politics
Political science students often choose their major due to a deep interest in political campaigns or a desire to make a difference in the political system. Working as political campaign staffer is a way to promote a positive image of a political candidate, which can be at the local, state, or national level. Political campaign staff members might draft press releases, write political speeches, run fundraisers, manage social media and events, or recruit volunteers.
Journalist
Journalists often have academic backgrounds that are more varied than English or journalism. More specifically, a political science degree prepares you for the writing, research, and subject matter knowledge necessary to work for a newspaper, magazine, or online publication. As a journalist, you can specialize in writing opinion pieces, news, political coverage, and more. This is also an excellent option if you’ve been involved in student publications before and enjoyed your experience.
Political Writer or Media Editor
More often than not, students who studied political science usually have vast knowledge of political history, and as so, they tend to become a writer or editor in various media houses, written or spoken. They can also become grant writers. These type of writers often work for nonprofits, schools, or government entities to write proposals with the goal of persuading funding organizations to award a grant for their cause, such as a major environmental study project. Grant writers must research the funding opportunities available for their organization, write a persuasive proposal, and supply additional information as requested by the funding organization. Working as a grant writer enables you to support organizations or causes that you care about, and also offers a lot of career flexibility. While some grant writers work in-house for an organization, others work on a contractual basis. Internationally, this career is recognized as one of the very lucrative career opportunities in political ever provided.
