Careers in Political Science
What can I do with a degree in Political Science?
Political science equips you with analytical, research, and communication skills that will allow you to be marketable in a variety of fields. We help students learn to analyze difficult problems, design solutions, and talk to those with differing opinions and backgrounds. Our majors also learn how institutions work, how rules and procedures shape individual behavior and policy outcomes.
These skills are valuable in a variety of careers in government, law, nonprofit organizations, international organizations, business, political campaigns, military, intelligence analysis, media and education.
Students should discuss their options with faculty in the department and with Career Services. The department also encourages students to seek out internships in their fields of interest and/or to reach out to practitioners who can provide further insights on possible careers. Some careers may require masters degrees or other graduate work in order to advance.
Government Service
Federal employment generally offers excellent entry level salaries, job stability and good benefits. There are opportunities in the federal government throughout the country. In addition to federal jobs, states, counties and municipalities around the country are increasingly responsible for overseeing such issues as housing, education, health, public safety, welfare and transportation. Ample career opportunities abound!
International Careers
The marketability of political science majors in international careers has risen sharply in the last two decades, as public policies increasingly take on global dimensions and the United States expands its economic, political and military dominance.
Non-Profits & Interest Groups
Many groups attempt to influence and/or study government programs and policies. Most of these groups are non profit enterprises. They include: Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), nonprofits that focus on a particular policy area.
Business
Despite what some believe, a business major is not a requirement for many positions in the business world. Most of America’s largest corporations have management training programs of their own. Such corporations look to recruit bright and motivated liberal arts undergraduates with strong critical thinking skills and train them for specific positions in their corporation.
Journalism
With the expansion of the internet and social media, the demand for news has increased dramatically over the last decade. A political science major provides good analytical skills as well as knowledge of many of the issues journalists are called to report on.
Career Resources for Political Science Majors
Policorner.org is a free political internship and jobs platform connecting University of Northern Iowa students with 2,000+ political, legal, and public service internships and career opportunities. Policorner.org allows University of Northern Iowa students to create free user accounts, access 2,000+ job listings, filter listings by political affiliation and other relevant metrics, directly message employers, and receive invitations to apply to employer jobs.
To create your free Policorner account and to learn more, visit Policorner.org.
UNI Pre-law will help you prepare for law school.
USA Jobs - The clearinghouse for all jobs within the U.S. government, including internships.
State of Iowa Careers lists job opportunities with the State of Iowa.
International City/County Management Association - jobs in state and local government
Idealist.org includes nonprofit and community organizations, jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities around the world.
Careeronestop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, includes a lot of information and advice about choosing careers and searching for jobs. See videos on “industry clusters,” including “Government and Public Administration,” “Human Services,” “Law, Public Safety, and Corrections.” This site includes job postings, and the ability to search job outlook for a variety of careers in particular cities/regions.
Projections Managing Partnership allows you to look for long-term and short-term job projections, searchable by particular occupations and particular states.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - The B.L.S. entry for political scientists will provide some basic information, but you can search for particular careers in which you’re interested: e.g., “city administrator,” “urban planning,” “policy analyst,” “survey researcher,” “attorney,” “public relations,” “nonprofit,” “community health,” etc. They also have general guides that, while dated, still include valuable information about Working in Politics and working as a Policy Analyst.
Publicservicecareers.org - Career Planning and job searches for public service professionals
NASPAA Career Resources - Career resource page of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
Alumni Spotlight
TOM RUE, '08
Department Head and Professor of Political Science Scott Peters catches up with alum Tom Rue, '08, Account Executive for USA TODAY NETWORK | LOCALiQ.
Click video below to watch!
JACOB HARBERTS, '19
Associate Professor of Political Science Evan Renfro catches up with alum Jacob Harberts, '19, Program Delivery Manager-Supervisor for FEMA.
Click video below to watch!
CARALINE EGGENA, '18
Department Head and Professor of Political Science Scott Peters catches up with alumna Caraline Eggena, '18, Community Development Planner for North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG).
Click video below to watch!
AUDREY ESPERSEN, '19
Assistant Professor of Political Science Evan Renfro catches up with alumna Audrey Espersen, '19, currently studying at the University of Chicago.
Click video below to watch!
ALISHA THOMPSON, '17
Assistant Professor of Political Science Evan Renfro catches up with alumna Alisha Thompson, '17, Program Manager for Thread Inc.
Click video below to watch!
