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Political Science

Industry Areas

Here are examples of industry areas students enter with this major, jobs/internships, typical employers that hire students, skills employers look for, and examples of where alumni work. To find more information make an appointment with your career counselor/advisor.

Industry Areas for Political Science
Industry|Employers
Job|Roles
Skills
Alumni

Local & State Government

Counties
Cities
Municipalities
Townships
School districts
Departments of state government
Legislative agencies
Court systems
School districts

Public Policy
Urban Planning
City or Town Management
Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
Program Administration
General Services
Community Affairs
Social Services
Law Enforcement
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
City of Chicago, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Ohio Attorney General's Office, Assistant Attorney General
State of Nebraska, Administrative Fiscal Analyst

Law

Law firms
Federal, state, and local government
Private practice
Corporations
Special interest groups
Universities and colleges
Legal aid societies
Nonprofit and public interest organizations
Legal clinics
Other private legal services

Prosecution
Defense
Contractual
Corporate
Nonprofit or Public Interest
Government
Mediation
Law Assistance
Lobbying
Other Specialties
Administrative
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Writing Skills
Active Learning
U.S. Department of State, Attorney-Adviser, Office of the Legal Adviser
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Associate
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, Attorney
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Staff Attorney

Politics

Legislative, executive, or judicial officials
National, state, or local government
Political action committees
Political parties
Campaigns: national, state, or local
Industrial, educational, and public interest groups
Lobbying organizations
Large business firms
Polling and consulting firms
Advocacy organizations

Elected or Appointed Leadership
Campaign Management
Staff Administration
Special Interest Advocacy
Political Advising
Lobbying
Public Policy
Public Relations
Community Organizing
Government Relations
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
National Center for Public Policy Research
University of Chicago Urban Education & Crime Lab, Executive Coordinator
Obama for America, Campaign Employee

International Affairs

United Nations
Non-governmental organizations
Relief agencies
Religious organizations
Educational institutions
Consulting firms
Research institutes
Foundations
Defense contractors
Federal government including:
Department of State
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense:
Armed Services
US Agency for International Development
National Security Council
National Security Agency
Legislative officials

Diplomacy
Peacekeeping
Foreign Affairs
Program Administration
Community Development
Economic Development
Resource Development
Public-Private Partnerships
Governance
Policy Making and Analysis
Legislative Services
Political Advising
Public Sector Reform
Poverty-Reduction Strategy
Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Human Rights
Administrative
Communication
Foreign Language
Multitasking
Leadership
Prioritizing
U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of State, Counter Boko Haram Policy Analyst
U.S. Department of State, Political Officer, U.S. Mission to NATO

Business

Product and service organizations
Retail stores
Hotels
Restaurants
Manufacturers
Insurance companies
Print and electronic media
Consulting firms
Financial institutions
Real estate companies
Property management firms
Other business corporations

Sales
Human Resources
Management
Public Relations
Market Research
Customer Service
Marketing
Advertising
Product Design
Real Estate
Problem-Solving Skills
Analytical Thinking Skills
Leadership & Team Based Skills
Business Judgment
Communication Skills
Project Management
Professionalism
Omniplex Science Museum, Chief Development Officer
Cardinal Health, Inc, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business
Houghton Mifflin Company, Manager of Rates and Permissions
Target Corporation, CEO, Target Canada

Nonprofit

Local and national nonprofit agencies
Foundations
Charitable organizations
Trade or professional associations
Special interest groups
Labor unions
Libraries
Museums
Historic sites/historical societies
Research organizations and think tanks
Educational institutions

Administration
Management
Public Relations
Fund Raising/Development
Policy Analysis
Research
Grant Writing
Direct Service
Advocacy
Volunteer Coordination
Creativity
Multi-tasking
Interpersonal
Time Management
Service Orientation
Writing
Social
Perceptiveness                       
Enthusiasm & knowledge for the cause
Restorative Justice Coordinator, Alternatives Inc.

Media

Newspapers: national, local, or trade
Wire services
Magazines
Internet sites
Large corporations
Political parties
Political action committees
Professional publications/associations
Labor unions
Academic journals
Broadcast media companies including television, radio, and the movie industry
Major networks
Public, cable, and private television stations
National, state, or regional radio networks
Independent radio syndications
Video production companies
Government agencies

Editing
Reporting
Circulation
Sales
Publishing
Electronic Media
Public Relations
News Programming
Production
advanced verbal and written communication
flexibility and versatility
ability to research and think critically
strong interpersonal  skills
creativity
editing and attention to detail
teamwork
active listening  and interviewing
time management
White House, Media Monitor

Journalism

Newspapers
Magazines
Broadcast media companies including television and movie industry
Trade, professional, or consumer publications
Internet sites
Advertising agencies
Publishing houses
Large corporations
Self-employment/freelance

Journalism
Creative Writing
Freelance Writing
Copy Writing
Editing
Research and Analysis
Advertising
advanced verbal and written communication
detailed oriented
technology and social media skills
time management
analytical skills
interpersonal skills
negotiation skills
project management skills
Bloomberg, Social Editor for TV & Video

Marketing, Advertising, & Public Relations

Private corporations
Public relations firms
Advertising agencies
Radio and television companies
Public opinion research firms
Sports and entertainment organizations
Hospitality and tourism industry
Nonprofit organizations
Government agencies
Labor unions
Educational institutions
Consulting firms
Freelance

Public Relations
Advertising
Marketing
Corporate Public Affairs
Investor Relations
Development
Event Coordination
Media Analysis/Planning
Creative Directing
Writing/Editing
Audience Analysis
Public Opinion Research
Problem-solving
Innovation and creativity
Critical thinking
Communication (verbal and written)
Presentation skills
Teamwork and leadership
Time management and the ability to simultaneously balance several projects
Adaptability and flexibility
Apple Inc, Sr. Director WW Product Marketing
Zeno Group, Executive Vice President

Service (Peace Corps)

Federal government agencies with an international focus
Community action agencies
Nonprofit organizations
Private voluntary organizations
Faith based organizations (FBO’s)
International aid and relief organizations
Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s), e.g., International Red Cross
State and local government agencies

Domestic and International Advocacy
Humanitarian Services
Development:
Economic
Community
Housing
Policy Development
Disaster/Disease Relief
Program Administration
Education
Volunteer Coordination
Grant Writing
Fundraising/Development
Wellness Promotion
Research
Creativity
Multi-tasking
Interpersonal
Time Management
Service Orientation
Writing
Social
Perceptiveness                       
Enthusiasm & knowledge for the cause
Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Africa, Senior Caseworker

Popular Industries (According to LinkedIn)

  • Media and Communication (14%)
  • Legal (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Research (7%)

Professional Associations