A political science degree is a versatile degree that can lead to a variety of career paths in different fields. Here are some of the jobs and fields of employment that political science graduates can pursue:

• Politics and Government: Campaign manager, special interest advocacy, lobbyist, press secretary, speechwriter, legislative or congressional aide, activist, public opinion analyst, pollster, elected or appointed official, policy analyst, staff assistant, press aide, government official, legislative assistant, diplomat or foreign service officer.

• Law: Attorney, judicial clerk.

• Education: Professor.

• Business: Business executive, political consultant.

• Media: Communications/public relations professional, radio stations, magazine publishing companies, network/cable/public broadcasting stations.

• Nonprofit: Non-profit organizations, environmental organizations, labor unions.

• Research: Political scientist, public opinion researcher or pollster, research organizations, polling organizations, think tanks.

According to Westerns 2017-2018 Graduate Outcomes Report, political science students are largely successful in finding employment. Median earnings for students with a BA in Political Science were $63,312 at 5-9 years and more than $99,996 at 20+ years.

It is important to note that landing a job in any of these fields requires that students gain relevant experience in those fields both in and out of school. Political science is unique in that it combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and information. While a bachelors degree in political science prepares students for entry-level jobs in business and administration, it also imparts skills that can be leveraged to enter a host of other fields, such as media or marketing. A masters in political science can prepare you to earn a Ph.D. or to perform research at nonprofit or public sector organizations.