What Can I Do with a Political Science Degree?

What jobs can you get with a political science degree? Below you’ll find some detailed summaries of some typical careers for those with a political science degree:

Lawyer

There are several aspects of law that might appeal to students with an undergraduate political science degree. Many such political science jobs incorporate the understanding and enforcement of American or international government rules, the interpretation of political ideas and the use of analytical skills. In addition to private practice, lawyers can work at the corporate level or for public sector institutions. They might also work as consumer advocates, judges or district attorneys.

Naturally, students who choose this path must move on to law school following completion of their undergraduate degrees and typically need to pass their state bar exams. Lawyers made a mean salary of $145,300 per year in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Many were employed by legal services, local, state and federal governments. The BLS also predicts that lawyers will experience around 4% job growth between 2019 and 2029, which is around average for all jobs in the U.S.

Political Scientist

One of the most direct ways for you to make the most of your political science education is to work in government as a political scientist. A number of government occupations, which can range from city planning to legislature to CIA intelligence, are available to those with a political science degree. According to the BLS, about 50% of political scientists worked for the federal government in 2019, though jobs are also available at state and local levels.

The completion of a graduate degree program can help political scientists stand out in a crowded job market. The BLS reported in 2019 that political scientists working for the federal government earned a mean wage of $127,500 per year. Job growth is predicted at 6% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than the national average.

Social Advocacy Worker

Many political science degree jobs involve helping people on a direct level. Some political science degree holders choose to advocate or work on behalf of a cause or a community. A thorough knowledge of government policies is necessary for most of these professions, though specific knowledge and particular skills might influence what kind of job one can pursue. For this reason, social advocacy careers are closely related to the work of government political scientists. Undergraduate political science students can participate in government or nonprofit organizations’ internships to prepare for their careers.

According to the BLS, political scientists who chose careers as social advocates earned a mean annual wage of $90,280 as of May, 2019. The BLS does not report specifically on the job outlook for political scientists working as social advocates, but social advocacy is both one of the major areas in which political scientists work, and one of the highest-paid areas for political scientists.

Lobbyist

Wondering what to do with a political science degree? Those with backgrounds in political science can find jobs lobbying the government on behalf of interest groups and other non-government organizations. These individuals work closely with various stages of government, negotiating with elected officials and influencing policy to advance the goals of their employers or clients. This career does not necessarily require the completion of a graduate degree, though it could help in getting a job. Courses in political theory, political economy, international relations and government procedures could apply for aspiring lobbyists. Other crucial skills include public speaking and networking skills.

The average annual salary for lobbyists was $74,740, as reported by PayScale.com in January of 2021. The BLS does not report on the job outlook for lobbyists, but it is reasonable to assume that they will experience growth approximately on par with other political scientists working in government and in the private sector.

Public Relations Specialist

Some careers with a political science degree attached may not be immediately obvious choices. A political science degree can often lead to a career in business, with banking, advertising, personnel and public relations as possible employment goals. Political science students seeking to enter the business world usually need superb verbal and written communication skills as well as a high-level understanding of mathematics and economics. Computers skills are also valuable in business professions. This is a very competitive field, and a graduate degree, while not a strict requirement, can be an aid in job acquisition and might lead to advanced positions, such as corporate management.

The BLS reported that the mean annual salary for public relations specialists was $70,190 in 2019. The federal government’s executive branch paid an average wage of about $95,780 to its public relations specialists that year. In addition, the BLS projects a 7% job growth for the public relations specialist field between 2019 and 2029. This is faster than the national average for all jobs.

Teacher

Political science majors might also find jobs teaching teenagers or young adults after completing a teacher preparation program. High school teachers with political science degrees may be qualified to teach history, social studies or government, in addition to more specific subjects, such as American government. Any number of specific political science courses might be taught at the postsecondary level, depending on the teacher’s interests and area of specialization.

Teacher certification is required along with a bachelor’s degree to teach in public schools, and those who want to teach college students usually must earn a graduate degree.

The mean yearly wage for high school teachers in 2019 was $65,930, and teachers of political science at the postsecondary level earned a mean wage of $102,290 annually.

Teachers at the high school level were expected to see a job growth of around 4% from 2019-2029, the BLS reports. Employment opportunities for political science teachers at the college level were predicted to increase about 9% from 2019-2029, faster than average.

Journalist

Some career options after graduation in political science may also include work in media. Political science graduates with interests in film, Television, radio and other media could pursue a career in journalism. Specifically, journalists who majored in political science might report on domestic and international policy, either for a politically oriented media product or as a political correspondent in a more general news environment. Jobs as editors or news directors could also be available.

Speech, writing and broadcasting skills are vital to this profession, and students must also learn to operate necessary equipment, such as video cameras and computer software. Some colleges offer journalism and political science as a combined major. The BLS states that the mean salary for reporters and correspondents in 2019 was $62,400 per year. Of all of the jobs that political scientists might take, journalism is one of the most unstable, with a predicted 11% decline in job opportunities between 2019 and 2029, according to the BLS.