POLITICAL SCIENCE & GOVERNMENT …

                             POLITICAL SCIENCE & GOVERNMENT
                                    What can I do with this degree?
                  AREAS                             EMPLOYERS                                         STRATEGIES

GOVERNMENT
Public Policy                     Federal, state, and local government            Complete an internship in government or related area.
Research                                                                          Serve in model United Nations.
Regional Planning                                                                 Become involved in student government.
City or Town Management                                                           Participate in cross-cultural groups and organizations.
Intelligence                                                                      Write for campus publications focused on national and
Foreign Service                                                                       international affairs.
Law Enforcement                                                                   Develop skills in computers, statistics, and data
Legislative, Executive, or                                                            analysis.
Judicial Services                                                                 Acquire foreign language competency and travel
Program Administration                                                                experience for international positions.
                                                                                  Supplement curriculum with business courses.
                                                                                  Earn a graduate degree in political science or public
                                                                                      administration for advancement.
                                                                                  Volunteer with the staff of a government official.
                                                                                  Participate in local or national campaigns.
LAW                               Law firms                                       Develop excellent research, writing, analysis, and
                                  Corporations                                        communication skills.
                                  Federal, state, and local government            Plan to attend law school and earn a law degree.
                                  Private practice                                Obtain specialized certification for paralegal positions.
                                  Special interest groups
                                  Universities
POLITICS
Elected or Appointed Leadership   Legislative, executive, or judicial officials   Volunteer for national or local campaigns.
Campaign Management               National, state, or local government            Gain experience through internships in government.
Staff Administration              Political action committees                     Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
Special Interest Advocacy         Special interest groups                         Seek leadership roles on the regional or national level.
                                  Political parties                               Become involved in campus political organizations,
                                  Campaigns (national, state, or local)               student government, campus publications, or
                                                                                      community service projects.
                                                                                  Take courses in statistics, computer science,
                                                                                      environmental protection, or public policy.
                                                                                  Develop a network of personal contacts.
                                                                                  Be prepared to begin a political career as a volunteer
                                                                                      before moving to full-time or paid positions.
(Political Science & Government, Page 2)


                   AREAS                                  EMPLOYERS                                STRATEGIES

NONPROFIT
Administration                             Nonprofit organizations                  Gain experience through volunteering or completing
Management                                 Foundations                                 an internship.
Public Relations                           Professional associations                Supplement curriculum with courses in business,
Fund Raising                               Special interest groups                     psychology, sociology, or social work.
                                                                                    Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
                                                                                    Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
                                                                                    Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a
                                                                                       specialty area (e.g., public health, environment,
                                                                                       urban issues).

BUSINESS
Sales                                      Product and service organizations        Develop strong analytical, verbal, writing, and
Human Resources                            Retail stores                               computer skills.
Management                                 Hotels                                   Acquire a business minor or add business as a
Advertising                                Restaurants                                 double major.
Public Relations                           Manufacturers                            Gain experience in an area of interest through
                                           Financial companies                         internships or other employment.
                                           Insurance companies                      Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
                                           Print and electronic media               Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
                                           Other business corporations

JOURNALISM
Editing                                    Newspapers (national, local, or trade)   Obtain summer or part-time work experience with a
Reporting                                  Wire services                                newspaper or magazine.
Circulation                                Magazines                                Complete an internship in journalism.
Sales                                      Internet sites                           Choose writing intensive coursework.
                                           Large corporations                       Become proficient in desktop publishing and
                                           Political parties                            photography.
                                           Political action committees              Develop excellent verbal and written communication
                                                                                        skills.
                                                                                    Join the college newspaper, yearbook, or other
                                                                                        publication staff.
                                                                                    Become a student member of professional
                                                                                        associations.
                                                                                    Creat a portfolio of published writing samples.
                                                                                    Obtain experience in and knowledge of a specialty
                                                                                        area of interest.
(Political Science & Government, Page 3)


               AREAS                                            EMPLOYERS                                                STRATEGIES

BROADCASTING
News Programming                                 Television stations (network, cable, or public)         Complete an internship in radio or television.
Production                                       Radio stations (regional or national)                   Experience in government or political affairs is
                                                 Independent syndications                                    usually required for specialized reporting
                                                                                                             positions.
                                                                                                         Volunteer with public or campus media.
                                                                                                         Develop strong reporting, writing, and debating skills.
                                                                                                         Cultivate an attractive and appealing appearance.
                                                                                                         Volunteer to announce local or campus sporting
                                                                                                             events.
                                                                                                         Become involved in drama (i.e., direct, act, or work
                                                                                                             with technical crew).

EDUCATION                                        Public schools                                          Obtain appropriate state teacher certification for
                                                 Private schools                                             public school opportunities.
                                                 Colleges and universities                               Gain certification in more than one subject for
                                                                                                             greater marketability.
                                                                                                         Earn a Ph.D. for college teaching or research
                                                                                                             positions.
                                                                                                         Volunteer with community or church youth programs
                                                                                                             to gain experience working with children and
                                                                                                             adolescents.
                                                                                                         Become involved in student organizations, debate,
                                                                                                             publications, government, and athletics.


GENERAL INFORMATION
· An undergraduate degree in political science is good preparation for graduate or professional study in areas such as psychology, law, or business.
· Research the pre-requisites of the area of interest and tailor program of study to meet curricular and skill needs.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills are imperative for most careers related to politics or government.
· Become familiar with the government application process for opportunities in federal, state, or local government.
· For careers in politics, be prepared to volunteer extensively before being hired or elected as an employee or official. Begin by working with the campaign
      or official of choice while in college.
· Many elected public officials begin careers in other fields (law, medicine, business) before campaigning for office.

              Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1992, Revised 1999, 2003, 2004)
                                            UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer