Political Science Career Opportunities and Options
Experiential Education
Opportunities for experiential education are available through internships in governmental agencies (local, state and federal), political parties, and campaign organizations. These internships not only give students insight into the reality of politics and government, but also provide training and contacts that can be helpful in career planning and employment. For students interested in international affairs, there are exchange programs and opportunities to study abroad.
Department Contact: Dr. Helen S. Ridley
Graduate School
If you would like to continue to study Political Science and are considering a career as a political scientist, discuss your interests with your advisor and with your Political Science professors. Ask for guidance for graduate study and about the work of political scientists. If you are interested in graduate study in Political Science but not in pursuing a career in research and college teaching, there are master's degree programs in Political Science. Many of these are specialized professional programs in public administration, public policy analysis, international affairs, and political campaign management.
Department Contact: Dr. Michele Zebich-Knos
Law School
A large number of Political Science undergraduate majors go to law school. KSU has an excellent Prelaw Program. Consult the Prelaw advisors within the department for information. A Prelaw Guide is available from the Department.
Department Contacts: Dr. Helen S. Ridley, Dr. Elizabeth Gordon
Business
Many Political Science majors choose careers in business. Their undergraduate training offers a good preparation for graduate programs in business. Students who have focused on international affairs for country/area studies may find opportunities in international business and trade. It is also possible to begin a business career with a bachelor's degree. Large corporations and banks have professional training programs for many employees.
Contact: KSU Career Services
Other
There are numerous career options for Political Science majors.
Contact: CAPS and Career Services
Examples of Careers in Political Science...
| Investment Officer | CIA, Advanced Concepts Staff, Office of Research and Development |
| Program Evaluator | Newspaper Special Events Coordinator |
| Director, Division of Policy Studies | Publishing Company Account Executive |
| Public Affairs Research Analyst | Corporate Manager of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs |
| Senior Criminologist | Deputy Secretary for Administration, State Welfare Department |
| Plans and Review Officer, USIA | Labor Relations Specialist |
| Assistant Deputy Secretary to Governor | Financial Consultant |
| Private Foundation Program Director | State Senator |
| International Research Specialist | Corporate International Analyst |
| Senior Editor | Vice President, Account Group Head |
| Principal Secretary to Prime Minister | Survey Analyst |
| State Department, Director of Policy and Coordination | U.S. Army, Strategic Planning Specialist |
| Veterans Administration Adjudication Unit Chief | City Housing Administrator |
| Associate Research Director, Advertising Firm | Publisher |
| City Housing Manager | Mayor's Office, Legislative Coordinator |
| Advisor to Chairman of State Energy Commission | U.S. Supreme Court, Judicial Fellow |
| Attorney | Senior Advisor, Department of Treasury |
| Corporate Senior Advisor for Governmental Relations | Investigator, OPM |
| City Project Coordinator | Vice President, Market Research |
| Librarian | Director, Public Affairs |
| Federal Commission Senior Policy Analyst | Corporate Economist |
| State Department Officer | Research Supervisor |
| Director of Political Information Products | Manager of Political Programs |
| Campaign Finance Analyst | Chief of Staff, Committee, U.S. House of Representatives |
| Executive Director, Special Interest Association | U.S. Senate Office, Legislative Director |
| Consultant | Director, County Economic Development Office |
| County Clerk | Senior Employee Relations Analyst |
| Administration and Policy Development | U.S. House of Representatives, Administrative Assistant |
| Administrative Assistant in State Sales Tax Bureau | Principal Program Evaluator |
| Assistant Budget Examiner | Political Commentator |
| Minister for Development | Director of Regulatory Compliance |
| Management Analyst | Journalist |
| University President | President, Research Consulting Firm |
| FAA Personnel Officer | Director, Intelligence Operations |
| City Office of Planning and Community Development, Staff Assistant | Press Officer, U.S. Embassy |
| Credit Research Manager | Governor's Office, Director of State Operations |
| Traffic Courts Coordinator | U.S. Congress, Staff Assistant |
| Deputy Secretary to Governor | County Treasurer |
| Corporation's State Legislative Issues Manager | Vice-President, Governmental Affairs, Engineering Vice-President / Account Executive |
| Director, Cost Containment, Insurance Company | HUD, Senior Legislative Specialist |
| Member of State Assembly | State Chief Purchasing Officer |
| Foundation President | Director of State Archives and History |
| Library of Congress, Specialist | Bank Vice-President, International Division |
| State Personnel Officer | Senior Public Opinion Analyst |
| Supervisor, State Department of Education | Bank Issues Analyst |
| County Councilmember | Systems Analyst |
| Deputy Manager, Political Risk Insurance Division | City's Coordinator of Federal and State Aid |
| Television Network, Director of Surveys | Assistant District Attorney |
| Information Manager, Corporate Planning Department | Transportation Specialist |
| Chief, State General Government Services Office | Mathematical Statistician |
| Commissioner, State Department of Human Services | Assistant Chief of Police |
| Publishing Company Account Executive | Juvenile Justice Specialist, State Department of Justice |
| Corporate Public Affairs Advisor | Marketing Research Supervisor |
| U.S. Consulate, Principal Officer | Corporate Information Manager |
| Chief, County Bureau of Labor and Training | Issues Analyst, Corporate Social Policy Division |
AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
1527 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 30036
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