Political Science

Political science is a branch of social science concerned with theory, description, analysis and prediction of political behavior, political systems and politics broadly-construed.  It examines the ways in which legislative, electoral, judicial, and administrative structures vary among countries, the reasons why governments change, fall, and engage in wars, and the behavior of public officials

Sample Occupations

Types of Employers

Preparing for your career in

Government: Gain knowledge about local, state, and federal government organizations and the various branches of government, seek leadership roles in campus organizations like the model United Nations and student government, complete a thesis to demonstrate research and writing skills, intern at a government agency, acquire a foreign language

Law/Politics: Take courses in criminal justice or debate, join the pre-law society and take the LSAT to get into law school, shadow or intern in a courtroom, political campaign, public interest group, or law firm to gain experience and confirm your direction, participate in a debate , mock trial, or forensic team, build skills working with diverse populations, be prepared to begin a political career as a volunteer before moving to paid positions, take courses in statistics and public policy

Business/Media: Join a business-oriented student organization, do an internship in a corporation or publisher, take business elective classes, hone leadership, public speaking, and writing skills, be willing to start in a management-trainee program, become proficient in computer and software use

Nonprofit: Gain experience through extensive volunteering or interning as this is crucial in finding full time positions, develop strong communication and researching skills, learn about fundraising, budgeting, and grant writing, earn graduate degree in library/information science or museum studies

How do I know if its right for me?

ASSESS: Take a career assessment, such as PathwayU, to see how your interests, values, and personality fit with majors and careers.

RESEARCH: Research the careers on this WCIDWAMI and thousands of other careers using O*Net Online, The Occupational Outlook Handbook or FirstHand.

EXPLORE: Learn more about a career field of interest by job shadowing, attending a career panel, or participating in a Career Trek. Further your exploration while gaining valuable skills by completing an internship, co-op, volunteer, or research experience.