Political Science

This guide contains only a partial list of occupational titles and career fields that may be of interest to students considering a political science major. In addition to the skills and knowledge gained through your college course work in this major, you may also need to acquire career related work experience, additional work related skills and/or additional education. Some of the occupations require an advanced degree to enter the field.

After you have identified possible occupations of interest to you, it is important to investigate the nature of work; education and training requirements; skills and special talents needed; types of employers; future trends and employment outlook related to each of these careers. We have set up links to internet sites that provide detailed descriptions of these occupations. You may also want to research these occupations by reading the books and literature available in the Philadelphia House Career Resource Library, by talking with individuals working in the career field and by contacting related professional associations.

This guide also provides information about obtaining related work experience including links to possible internships. However for the best information on current, local internships contact Sally Cardenas, Director of Internships and Community-Based Learning at 562-464-4533 or email her at scardenas@whittier.edu.

Career Options

Political Science Related Occupations
Activist Arbitrator Business development officer
Campaign manager Campaign worker Chamber of commerce director
CIA agent City manager City/urban planner
College/university faculty Community affairs director Community organizer
Community program director Community relations director Compliance officer (government)
Congressional press assistant Congressional researcher Congressional staff member/aide
Consumer advocate Consumer protection government agent Contract administrator
Criminal investigator Criminologist Customs Agent
Deputy attorney general Diplomat District attorney
Economic development Editor, political Environmental policy analyst
FBI agent Foreign correspondent Foreign service officer
Fundraiser Intelligence analyst International banker
International trade specialist IRS agent Investigator
Journalist Judge Labor relations specialist
Law enforcement officer Lawyer Lawyer, civil
Lawyer, criminal Lawyer, corporate Lawyer, environmental
Lawyer, immigration Lawyer, patent Legal assistant/paralegal
Legislative assistant Lobbyist Market research analyst
Media analyst Mayor National securities agency specialist
Overseas political analyst Parole/probation officer Peace Corps volunteer
Police officer Policy analyst Political consultant
Police officer Policy analyst Political consultant
Political pollster Political scientist Politician
Public administrator Public affairs officer Public defender
Public opinion analyst Public recreation director Public relations
Public relations representative Research analyst, foreign policy Secret service agent
Special interest group director Speech writer State lobbyist
State governor Teacher Trade association director
Union official/organizer Urban housing specialist U.S. congressman
U. S. senator U.S. Dept of State, worker Veterans claim representative
Volunteer services coordinator Writer, political journal Careers in Political Science

Typical Employers

Advocacy groups, archives and libraries, banks, chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, consulting firms, courts and correctional institutions, government agencies, historical societies, labor unions, law firms, military services, newspapers and magazines, non-profit organizations, political parties, public opinion research firms, public relations firms, regional planning councils, research firms and social service agencies.

Liberal Arts Related Occupations (click here for more options)

Marketable Skills Associated  with a Political Science Major

  • Critical thinking and analytical writing skills
  • Planning and organizing
  • Analyzing and evaluating evidence and data; ability to interpret social, economic and political data
  • Analyzing organization behavior and evaluating individuals in their roles
  • Researching skills; effective use of libraries and other research materials and methods
  • Ability to communicate ideas to others
  • Ability to read and write articulately and analytically
  • Aptitude for leadership
  • Ability to work well under pressure

Getting Career Related Work Experience

To be competitive in today's job market and to improve your qualifications for graduate school, gaining career related work experience while you are a college student is very important.

Career related work experience can include various forms of paid and volunteer experience (i.e. internships, some work study positions, summer or part-time jobs in your career field of interest, possibly fellowships, and some volunteer positions)

Political Science Related Internships