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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 321 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 341 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 341 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 322 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 359 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $54,052 | $25.99 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $52,703 | $25.34 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $50,698 | $24.37 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $49,637 | $23.86 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $49,283 | $23.69 | +14.6% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 31 | 4% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 156 | 2% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 106 | 2% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 416 | 1% |
| 5 | New York | 19,849,399 | 184 | 1% |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 106 | 1% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 69 | 1% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 67 | 1% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 52 | 1% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 51 | 1% |
| 11 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 39 | 1% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 22 | 1% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 20 | 1% |
| 14 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 17 | 1% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 16 | 1% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 11 | 1% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 8 | 1% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 6 | 1% |
| 19 | Vermont | 623,657 | 4 | 1% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 4 | 1% |
University of Central Missouri
University of Maine
Louisiana State University and A&M College
University of Massachusetts Boston
Coastal Carolina University
Ohio State University
Gannon University
Lafayette College
Saginaw Valley State University
Wagner College
The University of West Florida
University of New Orleans
Northern Illinois University
Lincoln
Ohio State University
North Carolina State University
University of Memphis
Dr. Josiah Marineau: Political science is an entrepreneurial degree. Some graduates go on to careers in the federal government, others go on to law school and become lawyers, while others find careers in the private and non-profit sectors. The main advice I would give is to work hard, be open to unexpected opportunities, and be willing to say yes to offers. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities, and utilize your professional network to find them, including your fellow graduates, your professors, and any organizations you served with as an intern.
Dr. Josiah Marineau: Technological skills are increasingly commanding a premium in all career fields. In political science, having technical training is a must, whether in statistics, computer programming, and the use of AI for improved policy analysis and decision-making. I strongly recommend current students acquire competency in at least one technical skill before they leave college. While the job market will always have a high demand for employees who work hard and can think critically, having technical skills will virtually guarantee that you will land a job by the time you leave college.
Dr. Josiah Marineau: You maximize your salary potential by looking into growth areas within your field. Right now, being able to use AI to improve analysis and decision-making in organizations is a critical skill. The students who acquire this ability now will have a higher salary upon entering the job market, and having a higher starting salary increases one's lifetime earnings considerably. I highly recommend students see technology as a tool they can use to open up job opportunities and invest in these skills early because they take time to master.
Dr. Ghaidaa Hetou PhD: Highlighting data analysis and statistics proficiency in your CV is a game changer for political science graduates. Make sure to invest your time in quality internships, especially the ones that are relatively close to your field on interest. If your employers offers you training opportunities to qualify for certain positions, take it. This means they see potential in you. Last but not least: Be a team player!
Dr. Ghaidaa Hetou PhD: My advice would be not to expect your career path to be straightforward as a political science graduate, like a career in hard sciences for example. Every turn will give you an opportunity to learn and grow. Internship opportunities can lead to full time job offers, and sometimes entry jobs are the sure way to get your foot in the door, and an opportunity to prove your value to the organization. A degree in political science does not have to lead necessarily to Law School, you can start your career at state or federal government offices. In addition, investment and financial sectors are in need of in-house researchers in the politics and cultures of different countries.
Dr. Ghaidaa Hetou PhD: Political science graduates who are proficient in quantitative analysis and statistics have a much better chance of finding good paying jobs. I advise my students to take data analysis courses before they graduate, it is a must in this day and age. Being proficient in a second (and maybe third language) is definitely a plus. As global competition intensifies between the US and China, young Americans will have to do more and be more agile. Having the flexibility to adjust to different cultures and being open to travel and learn about others is certainly a plus. Let's not forget the importance of excellence in writing, research and written communication, although AI is diminishing the value of this skill, it will be important to know how to incorporate AI in any project.
Dr. Gregory Streich: My general advice to a graduate starting their career is to realize that your first job will not be your last. In other words, it is increasingly common for people to change jobs and move both horizontally and vertically throughout their careers. It's important, however, to realize that at each step of your career, you are not just applying skills you learned as an undergraduate, you are sharpening those skills and acquiring new skills with each position. So, whenever you apply for a promotion with your current employer or an opening with another employer, the skills and experiences you've accumulated over time will help you continue to succeed.
Dr. Gregory Streich: Over the next 3-5 years, several skills will continue to be important for anyone in the job market: communication, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills have been and will continue to be important. However, two additional skills will become more sought after in the next 3 - 5 years. First, we live in a world of data, so whether it is gathering data, analyzing it, summarizing it, and/or using it to guide decisions and shape policies will be increasingly crucial moving forward. And, second, as we enter a world in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly prevalent, we will need to hone our skills to understand the ethical use of AI and anticipate ways in which it will impact society, the economy, and the job market (for better or worse).
Dr. Gregory Streich: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career, I have two suggestions. First, consider adding a minor to your major. Political Science provides students with a certain set of skills and content knowledge, but to maximize your earning potential consider adding a minor that will broaden your skillset. For example, add a minor in something like technical writing, creative writing, digital marketing, economics, or statistics. Depending on your career path, these minors can provide you with a wider range of skills that will appeal to potential employers. Second, don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. It's exciting to get a job offer and jump at it, but employers typically have a pay range. And if you have additional skills or experiences, this could be the basis for negotiating a higher starting salary.
Robert Glover: In general, I really push students in political science to gain skills in quantitative methods, data management, and data analysis. There's simply no trajectory from a political science degree where having those skills will be a disadvantage, even for something like law school or working for a government agency. Graduates are increasingly going to be expected to explore, make sense of, and utilize data. And it's a transferrable set of skills that enables you to pivot between different types or roles, even entirely different industries. The data analysis skills that might be useful for a political campaign can also be used for marketing research, consulting, or economic development work. So it's important to gain these skills and also be strategic in how you can market yourself to different types of potential employers.
Robert Glover: Again, this would depend on a student's career trajectory. For law school, the general advice is to go to the best ranked law school you can gain admission to, with the most generous financial support package. However, for someone entering government work, they might need to take more of a "long view." If a lower entry level pay translates into greater job security, more generous benefits, and the ability to build time and rank in government service that will eventually result in a higher salary, that might be a better option. Graduating political science students should also take into account the cost of living. An entry level salary in DC or a state capital might seem lucrative at first glance but might end up negated by the premium you pay to live there. So try to take account of not just the salary, but also the cost of living.
Robert Glover: That would really depend on which path the student is choosing from a Political Science degree. If they're considering law school or graduate school, the best advice can sometimes be to take a break after their undergraduate degree as it affords them time to gain practical work experience and earn some money (and to prepare for the intensity of advanced study). If they're moving into work in government or political advocacy/communications, they should be intentional in the types of candidates, organizations, and causes they're working for. The networks one develops early on can really shape future career trajectories.
Louisiana State University and A&M College
Political Science And Government
James Garand: The best thing about being a political science major is that you get to study politics, which is a topic that draws the interest of many students. Moreover, doing work in government and/or politics can be very rewarding work, and for those who pursue the Ph.D. and an academic career the ability to work closely with and mentor students is also very rewarding. The only real negative about studying politics is that we are in the midst of a period of contentious politics, with polarization in the mass public and among government officials creating what is for some people a distasteful political environment. For some students contentious politics makes politics particularly interesting, but for other students the contentious nature of politics today might stifle their interest in the subject. Overall, though, if one is interested in politics, political science is the appropriate major, and there are many job opportunities, particularly for those interested enough in pursuing an advanced degree in the law, public administration, public policy, international studies, or in political science itself at the Ph.D. level.
James Garand: Political science is always a good field to study if one is interested in pursuing a career as a lawyer, to work in local/state/federal government, to pursue advanced study in public administration, public policy, or international studies, or to pursue the Ph.D. and seek an academic career.
James Garand: There are not many jobs called “political scientist” for someone with only an undergraduate degree in political science. Most “political scientists” have advance degrees, usually a Ph.D., and are professors in colleges and universities around the country. Instead, students with an undergraduate degree in political science should be able to develop the skill set that can propel them into a career requiring what one learns in a standard liberal arts education—hopefully, the development of good writing skills, analytical and critical thinking, and a strong work ethic. These are skills that have broad applicability in the labor force. For many of our students, the political science degree is a gateway degree in the pursuit of an advanced degree. First, a very large share of our students are interested in going to law school and pursuing a career as an attorney. The political science major requires the development of strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills, and the subject matter of this major also means that students can learn about both the structure of the U.S. government and, more importantly, the characteristics of the U.S. judicial system. Many of our students take courses on judicial politics, constitutional law, and civil rights and liberties, and these courses provide the basics for students interested in a career in the law. Second, some of our students pursue a master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or international studies to support a career working in government, for a non-profit policy organization, or doing work abroad. Often this involves an internship while students are still enrolled in our undergraduate program, and combining classroom learning and an internship can give them the skill set to pursue this kind of job or to move on to a master’s program. Third, some undergraduate students in political science do work in quantitative methods and statistics in a political science department, and this prepares them for work as an political or policy analyst, either for a government organization or for a political party or other political organization. There is an increased demand for job candidates interested in politics and government and who have quantitative methods skills, so students who are so inclined can pursue this kind of training and become competitive for employment, particularly if coupled with a master’s degree in public administration of public policy. And finally, some of our best students pursue the Ph.D. in political science and seek out a career as a political science professor. One must really be interested in politics and a life of the mind to pursue this option, but we get a number of students who are so inclined and who have gone on to receive the Ph.D. and have successful academic careers.
Paul Kowert: Maximizing one’s salary potential is, at least in part, a question of the fit between one’s skills and job opportunities. There are many sorts of opportunities. For example, most large towns and cities in the United States are governed using a council-manager system, and there is a considerable need for individuals with the policy skills and training to serve in local government. Policy training is also relevant at the state and federal level, but other sorts of skills—such as relevant language training, statistical training, and more specialized knowledge about parts of the government, the law, or regions of the world—may also come into play for certain careers. Building these skills in college will give you an advantage as you seek better positions.
Paul Kowert: There are many career opportunities for students studying political science and international relations and, if anything, these opportunities are growing! The public sector is extensive, and much of it also includes jobs with some international dimension. This is not only true at the federal level, but also in state and even local government. My advice is unglamorous: the most important skills one gets from college are also the most straightforward. Improving one’s writing and quantitative skills and honing one’s ability to think clearly through complex matters will have lasting benefits. We underestimate their importance because it’s hard to see how writing one more paper in a college course will make a difference. But cumulatively, the work you do in college will give you an advantage. By the time students arrive in college, many are already thinking of a career. Once in college, therefore, it’s tempting to focus primarily on career-relevant skills. I would also advise students to remember, however, that college offers the opportunity to expand one’s intellectual horizons. Take an art history course, a physics course, an anthropology course…. College gives you the opportunity to make yourself a more well-rounded person.
Paul Kowert: Two sets of skills are (and will remain) of great importance in political science and international relations. The first is policy analysis—the ability to assess policies at different levels of government, to understand how they came into being, who they serve, and how they might (or might not) be changed. Political science classes will greatly improve your ability to answer such questions. Second, linguistic skills are crucial—not only the ability to think and communicate clearly, but also (ideally) the ability to do so in multiple languages. For some careers, it’s also an advantage to have a working knowledge of statistical analysis, but there are also many careers in political science and international relations that don’t require a mathematical background.
Dr. Mikel Norris: Several. First, data analytics is always an important skill for new graduates to have. We live in a data-driven world. Political Science (as a major) is a data-driven discipline. We try to train our political science majors in data analytics not just because we analyze data in our research, but also because data analytics is a vital skill for people in today’s workforce. A new graduate who can proudly state on a resume that they can analyze data and are familiar with how to use programs and software to analyze data (R, Python, Stata, SPSS ArcGIS, etc.) immediately improve their chances of getting a job over someone who does not have those skills. Second, I believe all students, regardless of discipline, need to quickly become as fluent as they can be in AI and AI-based technologies. I tell my students all the time that “AI is to you today what the internet was to me and my generational cohort in college in the 1990s.” Back then we recognized the incredible potential (but maybe not the pitfalls) of the internet. Those who got on that bandwagon early are doing very well for themselves today. AI is the same thing. In the end, millions of people will discover the many ways AI can change the world for better or worse. Those who get in the game early are the ones who will most likely be rewarded the most and, because of their knowledge, will guide its development over the next 30 years, let alone 3-5 years. Oh yeah, they will also guarantee job security for themselves for the foreseeable future! Finally, some underappreciated skills political science majors have that are and will always be important are managerial, leadership, and organizational skills. These skills will always be important as long as people come together in any form to achieve a common objective. People don’t just develop these skills in business schools. The study of political science is the study of human interaction. Understanding how people interact and the consequences that arise from those interactions will always be an important skill to have as long as people work together.
Dr. Mikel Norris: My answer to this question is related to my answer to question #1. You maximize your salary potential by becoming valuable in your organization. You can’t become valuable unless you’re willing to learn, develop skills relevant to your job, and put yourself out there on projects and other tasks so you can develop those skills. Again, most new graduates are generalists. Generality is important, and all of us need to retain it regardless of where our careers take us. But graduates need to ask themselves: What can I do where I work so that I become invaluable to my organization? Once they can answer that question, they need to pursue the answer with all their strength. This is why I hate it when people say that graduates should “follow their passion” to get their job. This is stupid. Very few people end up in jobs they’re passionate about after college. Rather, find a place where you can become valuable. Once you find out where and what that its, pursue it passionately. This is how you find a home – and a bigger salary – in your job.
Dr. Mikel Norris: Always be ready to learn, and always be ready to help or volunteer for a project. College students in all majors develop particular skills while in college, but typically they are generalists when they enter the job market, and rarely have expertise or specific qualifications. New graduates beginning their careers need to start work with a mindset that, while they don’t know everything there is to know about their new job, they are completely capable and willing to learn and become an expert on what they need to know. College trains all graduates to have this mindset – regardless of their major. All students begin a class with minimal to no understanding of the subject matter and emerge at the end of a class with a great deal more knowledge and understanding than they had before. If a self-aware graduate enters their work life with this mindset, they will quickly realize that they have done this before many times over the previous four years. This new experience (work) is just the same thing but in a different forum. I also think volunteering for projects is really a great way to develop knowledge and expertise in your work, and to show just how willing they are to learn and develop new skills. It also gives graduates a chance to stand out and show what they are capable of – that is, if they complete their task successfully! For example, one year after I graduated I was working for a mutual fund company that was chosen to operate Indiana’s 529 college investment plan. I volunteered to be on the start-up team so that I could learn about the plans, and also to more fully understand what it would take to run the plan. Our startup was successful, and for the next four years that I worked for the mutual fund, I was considered a go-to person in my department for questions about the plan. I believe these are the types of invaluable experiences new graduates need to have in order to be successful in their early careers.
Dr. Gregory Leslie: Students have gone on to join political campaigns, work with congress members, or enter consulting roles.
Dr. Gregory Leslie: Students appreciate the variety of roles available in politics-specific jobs, while the diversity of fields can be overwhelming.
Brian Lasher: Knowledge is often specific to a given institution or situation, while skill sets are transferable. While most people assume political scientists are best suited for government, campaigns, law, and education, the skill sets they possess open up a whole range of career possibilities. Data analysis and understanding behaviors is a useful skill in any business, including industry, banking, insurance and administration. Thus, a political science graduate should keep their options open. The most important consideration, however, is that you do well in whatever class you are taking or whatever your position you hold at work. An employer will consider your performance in class or the position you are in as an indicator of how hard you are willing to work, how focused you are, and how capable you are of understanding new concepts and meeting deadlines. Never underestimate the power of past performance.
Brian Lasher: In general, a political scientist studies political behavior and institutions. All political scientists conduct research and provide analysis. However, it depends upon whether one is a generalist or a specialist. For example, a generalist would have a broad understanding of organizations and behaviors. They often help to develop theories that can be applied to predict behaviors and outcomes across a wide range of activities. Their focus is generally strategic, or developing a bigger picture. On the other hand, while specialists may also develop theories and strategies, they are more concerned with specific institutions, and thus more likely to recommend specific policies. They are also experts in institutional knowledge, procedures and rules. Both generalists and specialists are needed in government, education and many other fields. In government and in most fields, the lower the level, the more likely you are to specialize. The focus is more tactical or operational. As you become more senior, the trend is generally to become more of a jack of all trades and the view becomes more strategic. However, the opposite is true in education. High school teachers and lower-level academic courses in universities are mostly survey courses, while upper-level courses are generally more focused. In any field, but especially in government and education, a good political scientist should also be well-read in history, and especially in the field in which they are conducting their research.
Brian Lasher: Political scientists can be very helpful in analyzing behaviors and developing models, and some of the theories they develop help explain a complex world. A good political scientist also provides data useful to decision makers. When a political scientist recognizes a trend before others, or can explain something that others find confusing, it is personally very rewarding. On the other hand, much is expected of political scientists, and it is very difficult to be impartial. It is often said that one should never discuss religion, politics, or sex in polite company, but all three are political, because all involve the interaction with others. Since all of us have an opinion, remaining objective can be a challenge, especially when confronted by people who have strong held beliefs that are contradictory to what the evidence shows. Thus, to be a good political scientist one must have a great deal of integrity, and not be afraid of being criticized when the view is not popular.
Lafayette College
Political Science And Government
John Kincaid: To attract the best opportunities, do well in your courses, engage actively with the ideas and concepts in the field, learn how government works, appreciate the importance of politics, sharpen your writing, hone your speaking skills, demonstrate civic responsibility, and start networking through volunteer work and internships.
John Kincaid: Other skills that will become increasingly important include analytic abilities in our information age, research skills that enable you to distinguish between the truth and misinformation, social media outreach, organizational capabilities, and adaptability to change.
John Kincaid: In order to maximize your salary potential when starting your career, demonstrate an ability to work hard, convey a commitment to add value to a potential employer, and lay enough pre-graduation groundwork to land a first job that is advanced and high-paying enough to be a springboard to future advancement.
Saginaw Valley State University
Psychology
Kevin Lorentz II, Ph.D. (he/him/his): Political science is a versatile degree program, meaning that our graduates have many opportunities beyond the “obvious” of law, public administration, or electioneering/campaign careers. As such, I recommend that students pursue their passions, but also really play the field, so-to-speak, in terms of considering careers. When trying to a land a job, students should emphasize their experiences and skills beyond just their credentials (e.g., degree, major/minor, etc.). Internships, co-ops, and volunteering all count as experience in the field and can help you distinguish yourself from other candidates. Moreover, I think that political science majors don’t always showcase the diverse array of skills they have. These include not just critical, analytical, and communication abilities, but also their numeric and digital literacy. Plus, they know how to interpret sociopolitical events, which is a skillset that transcends fields since politics implicates everything. In short, don’t discount your experiences and skills!
Kevin Lorentz II, Ph.D. (he/him/his): Generally speaking, I think numeric and digital literacy will continue to be important skills to possess and harness over the next several years. The coming of artificial intelligence makes being able to make sense of quantitative/statistical data and evaluating digital information (be it news, reports, etc.) even more imperative. Knowing how to utilize AI tools will also be helpful as the field continues to embrace AI’s potential and address the challenges therefrom.
Kevin Lorentz II, Ph.D. (he/him/his): I think the best way budding political science majors can maximize their salary potential is by emphasizing their experiences and skills. One way to do that is to make sure that you complete internships and other experiential activities during your undergraduate studies. For instance, if you want to work in campaigns and elections, make sure that you intern for a campaign (or more!) before entering the job market. Want to be a public administrator? Consider interning with a governmental agency or other public sector organization. For those considering graduate school (including law), take classes that will help you develop your analytical skills while also developing your practical abilities, such as public speaking. Model United Nations, Moot Court, Mock Trial, and the like are excellent experiential programs that graduate programs will appreciate and reward when considering your application. Finally, developing your professional network in undergrad is important; this can be done through faculty and alumni connections, but also through internships and volunteering opportunities, too. In short, you need to develop a resume during your undergraduate years that emphasizes your skills, abilities, and experiences that makes you an ideal candidate that really shows what you’re capable of. When it comes time to enter the job market, don’t neglect emphasizing these features!
Karim Malak PhD: 3- demonstrable track record of internships or jobs involving negotiations, writing/editing and showing that you are a team player who is invested in the success of an organization, not an individual.
Karim Malak PhD: 1- hard work pays off more than genius—be studious but also do not be arrogant, persistence is key.
Karim Malak PhD: 2- fluency in other languages, cultural awareness/sensitivity and work with minority populations locally or overseas. Additionally, analytical skills that involve strategization and planning will be in high demand. This includes skills that come at the intersection of digital marketing, strategy and planning. These jobs will want candidates who can show they understand the history of international conflicts and their effects in the US.
Jacob Shively Ph.D.: Salary is often an important but secondary concern for poli sci students. They want to do well, but they also want to dig into their passion and to make a difference. That said, starting on the ground floor in fields like consulting, policy analysis, or lobbying will also pay dividends later even though you may need to pay your dues in the early years. Your degree positions you well to move to graduate work that will open doors in high salary fields.
Jacob Shively Ph.D.: Even with a strong reputation for flexible thinking and analytical rigor, poli sci and international relations grads with a particular skill will stand apart in the current environment. Competence with data, statistics or economics; knowledge of basic cybersecurity skills; proficiency in a high-demand language have all helped my students get in the door with their preferred career tracks.
Jacob Shively Ph.D.: Be flexible. Poli sci and international relations students leave college with a lot of flexible skills like savvy writing and structured analysis. This is probably why over their careers, these majors tend to steadily rise in terms of professional status and pay. These translate to work in more fields than students imagine. The challenge is bridging from the degree to the career. Whereas some majors have a clear but narrow pipeline, our students enjoy more options but need to do more early legwork to find what works for them. Don't be afraid to apply for a post-grad fellowship or early career program to test out a field that may be new to you. If you are thinking about work in government, start applications early. They are looking for good people, but the process--especially if it involves a security clearance--can be slow. If you are thinking about a career in politics, jump on a local campaign or similar effort. Those careers are all about developing your applied skills and networking.
Dr. Grace Reinke: Anyone beginning a career in political science likely has a strong base in social science skills. Understanding how to leverage those skills in things like cover letters and resumes is key. Work on getting research and analysis experience, if you did not receive much during undergrad.
Dr. Grace Reinke: Negotiations! Remember to leverage things like writing, analysis, research experience, and any knowledge of methodology software (e.g. R, Stata, ArcGIS, Atlas.TI) you may have when applying for jobs. You should point to all those skills and experiences when discussing compensation with any employer.
Dr. Grace Reinke: Managing and working with large datasets in order to draw conclusions about the social world, both in the national and international context. Writing is the most crucial, and will continue to be the most crucial skill in political science – whether writing for a broad audience or an academic one.
Ches Thurber: A political science major prepares you for a wide variety of professional careers. The field is probably most associated with jobs in government service or political campaigns. And a political science major is definitely great preparation for those careers. But many political science majors pursue careers in business, journalism, non-profits, and law. The analytic, writing, and data skills that a political science major provides are highly sought by employers across fields. Careers in political science often involve research, and specifically gathering evidence in support of arguments. This could take the form of evaluating the potential success of different marketing strategies for a business, analyzing the potential impacts of a new governmental policy, or making a legal case before a judge.
Ches Thurber: The pace of technological change means that today’s college students need to equip themselves to not just be proficient in today’s technologies, but with the enduring skills that will make themselves successful over the long arch of a career. A political science major helps students build these skills, while cultivating a deep understanding of the political, economic, and social dynamics that are driving change. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects faster than average 7% growth in jobs for political scientists over the next decade. And data from the Hamilton Project shows that political science majors have median lifetime earnings that exceed those of majors often perceived to be 'career-oriented,' like business management, accounting, and advertising.
Ches Thurber: A major in political science allows you to think about some of the most pressing issues facing modern society and prepares you for careers that help tackle real-world policy programs. That engagement can come through jobs in business, government, non-profits, or the legal profession. The opportunities available to students who study political science are quite broad. However, a political science career might require students to do a little more in charting their own career path. The major does not prepare students for a specified career track the way some other majors (e.g. nursing, education, accounting) might.
Dr. Courtney Hillebrecht: Critical thinking skills, analysis skills and communication skills will always be important. Looking ahead to the next 3-5 years, I also think that students who are able to read, understand, and explain data will have a comparative advantage on the job market in any number of industries. In addition, being able to work in diverse groups and communicate across difference will be a game-changer.
Dr. Courtney Hillebrecht: Stay curious and apply what you have learned! Students graduating with a political science degree have had the chance to learn about a range of political processes, incentives, and institutions. In doing so, they also developed key skills, from writing and communication skills to critical thinking, data analysis, and teamwork. If you can think broadly and creatively and apply what you have learned in school, you will be well-positioned to take on new and challenging tasks at work.
Dr. Courtney Hillebrecht: Don't stop learning! One of the best things about a political science major is that it offers students the chance to build a number of skills, from critical thinking to writing to data analysis. I would encourage recent graduates to continue to refine the skills they learned as students and to add new skills to their portfolio. This will help them not only succeed in their first position out of school but also prepare them for subsequent roles. In addition to continuing the learn and refine skills, I'd recommend that job applicants negotiate, whether that be around salary, work expectations or both. Ask for what you need to be successful in the job.
Elena Pedigo Clark: Students with Russian degrees should consider how best to frame their skill set for whatever career they want to go into. Knowledge of the Russian language is a very specific skill that has some very specific uses (e.g., for students going into military or government service). However, it also demonstrates an above-average ability in critical thinking, cross-cultural competence, and the ability to take on challenging tasks. These are attractive assets for a wide variety of career paths, so graduates should think about how best to present this to potential employers.
Elena Pedigo Clark: For students interested in entering military or government service, bringing their language skills up to the level of professional working proficiency can have immediate tangible benefits. Students interested in leveraging their Russian skills to start a lucrative career path in the private sector might consider combining a Russian degree with a degree in business, economics, or finance, and then being prepared to explain to potential employers how their Russian training will make them good candidates because of the critical thinking, cultural competency, diligence, and other skill sets it demonstrates.
Elena Pedigo Clark: Cross-cultural knowledge and understanding will become more critical in the next few years. There is a lot of talk right now about how AI will transform or do away with the study of foreign languages. While I am skeptical that AI will replace the need to learn foreign languages, I do think that Russian students should focus on cultural and area studies knowledge and "big picture" thinking as well as the details of the language itself.
Ohio State University
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Grant writing ability. Scholars will become increasingly reliant on securing grants as universities and colleges continue to tighten their belts. This is especially true for state schools where some state legislatures are not as generous with funding as they once were. The state supported The Ohio State University is one such example. There are many more.
Steven Greene: I'm no great prognosticator, but I thinking learning to work *with *AI is going to become increasingly important in all sorts of disciplines. The point here is not having AI do the work for you, but rather, how AI can enhance the skills and abilities you bring to the table.
Steven Greene: Number 1 is that Political Science can be a fairly generally applicable degree that does not necessarily mean the 'field' of politics. Students should use the PS degree to build strong skills in critical thinking, analytical writing, and working with data that can most definitely be useful in politics, but also a wide variety of jobs outside of politics.
Steven Greene: The modern world is awash in data and being comfortable with that data and how to effectively use it to better explain things and to craft arguments is a very valuable skill. Many students in non-STEM fields have somewhat fearful of working with numbers and statistics, but gaining skills here is so valuable. And there's plenty of data in political to make sense of-- from election returns, to polling results, to municipal budgets, etc. Students who embrace working with political data have a real advantage in the career marketplace.
University of Memphis
Political Science And Government
Derefe Chevannes Ph.D.: Being able to adjust and to maintain the attitude of a life-long learner will help the most.
Derefe Chevannes Ph.D.: Be open to continuous change in your field. Be prepared to learn new skills and adjust to changes in your job. Be a life-long learner!
Derefe Chevannes Ph.D.: Anything related to AI (and other technological developments) will be hugely important for almost anything you can do with a political science field. AI will not replace humans, but it will most likely fundamentally change the way we work.