Political science degrees train students in many of the nuances of how governments operate and the functions that they perform. The knowledge that is gained while studying for a political science degree can be applied to work in a number of fields and will familiarize students with the theory and knowledge required to understand how government operates at the federal, state, and local levels.
Political science degrees aren’t just useful for those who plan to enter the field of politics as politicians, they are an excellent entry point to a number of different career paths. The advent of online degrees has seen an uptick in the number of students pursuing political science degrees, as they have in a number of subject areas. Pursuing an online political science masters is an excellent first step towards a career in any of the following fields.
Government and Advocacy Jobs
There’s an endless array of government jobs which are open to political science graduates. These range from city planning and legislative advisement, right up to CIA intelligence work. Political science is a valuable degree for virtually all areas of government. The United States Bureau of Statistics estimates that as many as 55% of political scientists end up working for the government at the federal level.
Many political science graduates also opt for jobs as advocates for government, again this can happen at the federal, state, or local levels. Some choose to advocate for specific causes, while others undertake to advocate generally for government policy. In order to perform this function effectively, applicants will need a thorough understanding of the nuances of how government operates at the relevant level.
Law Careers
There are numerous law careers besides being a lawyer, and most of these require a degree of understanding of how government operates. A full and comprehensive understanding of the legal system in the United States requires a firm grasp of the political theories which underpin the American system of government. Being able to interpret these political ideas and analyze them in the context of the US legal system is crucial to many legal careers.
In order to practice law as a career, students will need to also complete a relevant law qualification, however by gaining a good grounding in the political science aspects first they will be well positioned to do so when the time comes.
Lobbyist
Lobbyists are a controversial, yet essential, component of the American political system. Those who have a background will find that they have access to the most lucrative lobbying positions, whether they are acting on behalf of private entities of government organizations. Lobbyists work closely with a variety of individuals and organizations with the intent of representing their interests to others. Accessing lobbying jobs is one of the most lucrative careers that can be pursued with an online masters in political science.
Political science really does open up a lot of career paths as you can see from those above!