The information on this page is designed to help you explore possible careers. Use the links below to navigate to different areas of the page. We recommend working with a career counselor to help you identify careers based on your skills, interests, and values.
Ideas for Career and/or Places of Employment
Students who major in political science develop skills that are valued by employers. These skills include: research, analysis, writing, oral presentation, critical thinking, synthesis, and problem solving. Students and alumni may find employment in business, government, nonprofits, social services, and educational institutions depending on their skills and experience. Internships or relevant part-time jobs may be a prerequisite to finding employment.
Careers Reported by Political Science Graduates on College/University Surveys
This is a list of jobs political science majors reported having at graduation. It was generated from survey data published by colleges and universities across the United States. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for exploration.
- Actuarial Analyst for a consulting firm
- Administrative Assistant for a lieutenant governor
- Admissions Advisor for a university
- Analyst for a health maintenance organization
- Analyst for the CIA
- Assistant Account Executive for a public relations firm
- Assistant Language Teacher for the JET Programme
- Assistant Media Buyer for an advertising agency
- Assistant Planner for a city
- Associate for a search engine technology company
- Auditor for a state agency
- Budget Policy Analyst for a public policy institute
- Business Analyst for a global management consulting firm
- Campaign Manager for a candidate for city government
- Canvasser for a political party
- Case Manager for a nonprofit providing mentors to youth
- Community Affairs Manager for a nonprofit supporting women entrepreneurs
- Constituent Services Representative for a senator
- Content Strategist/Web Designer for a bank
- Corporate Development Manager for a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization
- Corporate Legal Assistant for a law firm
- Deputy Assistant to a mayor’s Chief of Staff
- Development Assistant for a nonprofit theater company
- Editorial Assistant for an independent nonprofit magazine
- Event Outreach Specialist for a community-based volunteer health nonprofit
- Executive Vice President of a nonprofit promoting citizenship and service among youth
- Family Coordinator for a nonprofit international adoption agency
- Family Services Advocate for a faith-based nonprofit
- Federal Investigator for the US EEOC
- Field Organizer for a presidential candidate
- Field Representative for a state assembly
- Field Representative for an environmental nonprofit
- Firefighter/Paramedic for a county fire and rescue
- Foreign Service Officer for the Department of State
- Fundraiser for a senator
- Human Resource Specialist for a hospitality lodging company
- Investigative Specialist for the FBI
- Junior Account Manager for a film studio
- Junior Associate for nonprofit advocacy group
- Junior Lobbyist for a government affairs consulting firm
- Leadership Consultant for a fraternity
- Legislative Aide for a state assembly
- Legislative Aide for a state representative
- Legislative Fellow for a state senate
- Marketing and PR Coordinator for a strategic communications firm
- Marketing Associate for a multinational product manufacturer
- Membership Outreach Assistant for a civil rights advocacy organization
- Mutual Fund Research Associate for a financial data company
- Office Assistant for a state assembly
- Office Manager for a political media consulting group
- Operations Analyst for a company providing medical practice support and consulting
- Paralegal for a district attorney’s office
- Paralegal for a nonprofit providing civil legal assistance
- Parent Organizer for a nonprofit housing corporation
- Peer Support Coordinator for a university
- Police Officer/State Trooper
- Political Analyst for the Department of Defense
- Professional Soccer Player for a US-based team
- Program Analyst for the FBI
- Program Specialist for a company providing intensive behavior intervention for people with autism
- Project Coordinator for a coalition of agencies serving youth
- Publicity Manager for a local and regional history publisher
- Receptionist for a US Senate committee
- Research Assistant for an international law firm
- Research/Web Assistant for an independent policy institute
- Sales Account Manager for a computer hardware company
- Sales Associate for a commercial real estate firm
- Senate Fellow for a state senate
- Spanish Language and Culture Assistant through the Spanish Ministry of Education
- Sports Reporter for a daily newspaper
- Staff Assistant for a congressperson
- Staff Reporter for a small daily newspaper
- Strategist for an internet strategy and technology firm
- Teacher for Teach for America
- Volunteer for the Peace Corps/AmeriCorps
Return to the top
Careers Reported by Political Science Majors on the American Community Survey
The following list of job titles was was generated from American Community Survey data. Every year, the federal government surveys 3,000,000 people. This list shows some of the most-often reported careers for people who majored in Political Science. Please be aware that additional education, internships, or career-related experience may be a prerequisite to some of the careers on this list. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for exploration.
- Lawyers and Judges
- Elementary and Middle School Teachers
- Postsecondary Teachers
- Chief Executives and Legislators
- Management Analysts
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- General and Operational Managers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Marketing and Sales Managers
- Financial Managers
- Human Resources Specialists andManagers
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Clergy
- Software Developers
- Registered Nurses
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Writers and Authors
- Physicians and Surgeons
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Editors
- Fundraisers
- Compliance Officers
- Operations Research Analysts
- Judicial Law Clerks
- Librarians
- Purchasing Agents and Managers
- Advertising Sales Agents
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents
- Producers and Directors
- Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
- Psychologists
- Training and Development Specialists
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Web Developers
- Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Special Education Teachers
Return to the top
List of Employers and Job Titles Developed from Jobs Posted in Handshake for Political Science Majors
The following list of employers and job titles was derived from the University Career Center's jobs database. It does not reflect all potential places of employment or kinds of jobs for political science majors. This list does not reflect current openings.
Return to the top
Vocational Biographies
Vocational Biographies describes the career success stories of 1001 real people. Search by career title, keyword, topic, and career cluster. Username: portlandsu and password: 3W9N
- Legislative Chief of Staff
- Congressional Aide
- FBI Special Agent
- Association Director
- U.S. Senator
- Lobbyist
Return to the top
Professional Associations
Return to the top