Political Science

What is Political Science?	Related Careers
Related Skills	Job & Internship Search Links
Career Planning Links	Professional Association Links
Miscellaneous Links	OSU Department of Political Science

What is Political Science?

According to Wikipedia, political science is "a social science concerned with the theory and practice of politics" and governement, "and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior."

In the Political Science Program at OSU, you'll learn the ideas of great political thinkers, controversies involved in issues as current as the front page of today's newspapers, and everything in between. You will have engaging discussions and debates from all points of view in class, with students and professors. You'll learn to think critically, write clearly and speak persuasively. You'll learn the stories behind the headlines and how to find the information to make up your own mind about issues as diverse as assisted suicide, international terrorism, campaign finance, or censorship.

Political Science - What Can I Do with This Degree? pdf - lists the industry areas, employers, and strategies for using your degree.

Related Careers

Federal Government	State & Local Government
Ambassador	Advisor
Archivist	Assistant Budget Examiner
Assistant Secretary of State for...	Assistant Chief of Police
Budget Analyst	Chief of Staff
Civilian Consultant to...	City Housing Administrator
deputy Undersecretary of...	City Planner
Foreign Service Officer/Specialist	City Project Coordinator
GAO Evaluator	City's Coordinator of...
Historian	County Council Member
Information Technology Manager	County Treasurer
Intelligence Specialist, CIA	Deputy Secretary
Management Auditor	Juvenile Justice Specialist
Officer, FBI	Labor Relations Specialist
Program Analyst	Legislative Coordinator
Public Affairs Specialist	Program Director
Secretary, Department of...	Senior Criminologist
Researcher	State Chief Purchasing Officer
Staff Aid, Congressional Committee	State Personnel Officer
Tax Inspector	Supervisor, State Department of...
Teacher, Overseas School for...
Law	International
Assistant Budget Examiner	Agent, FBI
Assistant Chief of Police	Analyst, CIA
Attorney	Consultant to Multinational Corporations
Broadcast/Newspaper Reporter	Director of International Marketing
CIA Inspector	Field Staff
Commissioner	Peace Corp Volunteer
Corporate Legal Counsel	Foreign Service Officer
Criminologist	Instructor
Deputy Secretary to the Governor	International Banker
Judge	International Correspondent
Juvenile Justice Specialist	International Research Specialist
Labor Relations Specialist	Lobbyist
Labor Union Official	Policy Analyst
Law Professor	Press Officer
Lawyer	Strategic Planning Specialist
Lobbyist	Translator
Mediator
Paralegal
Politician
Public Interest/Consumer Advocate
Public Policy Analyst
Research Consultant
State Legislator
Nonprofit Organizations	Campaigns & Polling
Budget Analyst	Campaign Manager/Consultant/Director
Director, Fund Raising	Fundraiser
Director, Nonprofit Agency	Issue Analyst
Field Officer, Human Rights Campaign	Pollster
Lobbyist	Political Consultant
Political Director	Political Director
Program Manager	Political Reporter
Public Relations Specialist	Press Officer for Candidate
Research Analyst	Survey Researcher
Journalism	Education
Director of Corporate Public Affairs	College Professor
Director of Surveys, Television Network	Curriculum Developer/Supervisor
Information Manager	Education Reporter
Press Officer	Government/Politics Teacher
Producer, Local Television News	Researcher
Public Affairs Research Analyst	Student Affairs Administrator
Television Reporter
Writer/Editor

Related Skills

Able to Develop & Market Ideas	Oral & Written Communication
Analytical Thinking	Perform Under Pressure
Computer Literate	Problem-solving
Decision-making	Research Skills
Interact with Diverse Populations	Team Worker
Leadership Abilities	Understanding of Community Needs

Job & Internship Search Links

USAJobs.gov - check out the Students and Recent Grads section and the Federal Jobs by College Major for a listing of job titles related to your major.

Civil Service Recruitment Website - U.S. Department of State.

Careers in Government - government listings.

Federal Jobs for College Graduates - lists entry-level professional positions for graduates in administration.

FedWorld

O Net

The Partnership for Public Service

Student Jobs

United States Senate Employment

Federal Government Jobs

National Security Agency

U.S. Government Printing Office

State and Local Government

State Government Information

Career Opportunities

Career Planning Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook - the following links also provide a summary of the career, what they do, the work environment, how to become one, the job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more information.

Average Pay - Political Scientists
Average Pay - Legislators
Average Pay - Economists
Average Pay - Urban and Regional Planners
Average Pay - Sociologists
Average Pay - Postsecondary Teachers

Explore Careers in Life Sciences

A Political Scientist Could...
A Sociologist Could...

Criminal Justice Careers - List of criminal justice career opportunities, with some connecting to federal law, law enforcement and legal careers. Provides a full range of information about the careers including job requirements, salary infomation and school/training information.

Partnership for Public Service

Careers in Political Science

Public Service Careers

U.S. Department of State

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Democrats

National Republican Campaign Committee

GOP.com

Law Career Center

Education & Careers for Law

United States Courts

Global Policy Forum