Careers in Political Science

Nicole GlenosCareer Development Center

Who Majors in Political Science?

• Anne Rice – author of the Vampire Chronicles

• Jane Pauley – television journalist

• Steve Case – founder of AOL

• Barack Obama & Joe Biden

• Kevin McClatchy – CEO of the Pittsburgh Pirates

• Madeleine Albright – first woman to become Secretary of State

• Margaret Heckler – Secretary of Health and Human Services

• Donald Fehr – attorney for the MLB Association

• Alec Baldwin - actor

Self-knowledge

•A degree in Political Science offers a wide variety of career opportunities.

•Knowledge of the following will help you in the decision-making process:• Values• Interests• Strengths• Life goals• Work environment preferences

Values

Values and your Career Development: Including values as a directional piece in your career development is imperative to understanding where you are headed.

• What do I want in a career?

• Where do I want to live and work?

• What kind of job appeals to me?

• What kind of coworkers will be kindred spirits?

• What kind of working conditions will be rewarding?

• What level of responsibility can I handle?

• What salary level is important for me to attain?

• Do I want to continue my education by attending graduate school?

Overview of Career Options

•Government

• International Affairs

•Law

•Politics

•Business

•Nonprofit

• Journalism

•Broadcasting

•Education

Career Options

•Government• Public policy• Research• Regional planning• Intelligence (ex. CIA)• Foreign services (ex. Department of State)• Law enforcement• Legislative, judicial, or executive services• Program administration• City/town management

Career options

• International Affairs• Governance• Policy making and analysis• Public law• Human rights activism• Organization & management development• Resource development• Public sector reform• Media/Communication Policy and Practice

Education• Ethics and anti-corruption • Foreign policy

Career Options

•Law• Lawyer- prosecution, defense,

constitutional, property, corporate, etc.• Federal, state, and local government• Private practice• Special interest• Universities• Law assistance • Non profit/public interest

Career Options

•Politics• Elected or appointed official• Campaign management• Political advertising• Staff administration• Special interest advocacy

•Business• Sales• Human resources• Management • Advertising

Career Options

•Nonprofit• Administration• Management• Public relations• Fundraising• Nonprofit organizations• Foundations• Professional associations• Special interest groups

Career options

• Journalism• Editing• Reporting• Sales• Newspapers• Magazines• Internet news companies• Corporations• Political parties and action committees

Career Options

•Broadcasting• News programming• Productions• TV stations• Radio stations• Independent syndications

•Education• Public and private schools• Colleges and universities

The Job Search

Once I have decided on a career path, how do I find a job???

The job search

•Essential Materials and Skills• Résumé• Cover letter• Interviewing skills• Networking skills

The Job Search

•What can I do to create/develop these materials and skills?• Visit the Career Development Center’s

website and use the online resources• Practice interviewing using Interview

Stream• Research common interview questions for

your field• Identify the contacts you already have

and begin developing your network

The Job Search

•Research your field• How does your field recruit?• What are the most commonly used

forms of posting jobs for your field?• What types of jobs are available?• What types of companies offer

positions that you are interested in?• What are the salary ranges?• What does a typical day of work look

like?

The Job Search

• How/where do I find jobs?• Networking• Career fairs• Job boards

• Cards Career Link• www.Linkedin.com• www.careers.org• www.nace.org

• Company websites• Newspapers

The Job Search

•How long should the job search process take?• Consider the process a “long-term

campaign”• Give yourself at least 6 – 9 months to

find a job

The Job Search

•Applications• Follow directions to the letter• Tailor your application to the position –

do not just cut and paste from your résumé

• Complete all fields of the application• If uploading your documents, save in pdf

form (name the file using your name and job title)

• Save your work every few minutes

The Job Search

Research the company:

• Mission statement

• Organizational structure

• Headquarters

• Client base

• Products/services

• Financials

• Competitors

• Number of employees

• Employee benefits

• Organizational culture

• What the company does and how they do it

• CEO/President

What should I do to prepare for an interview?

The Job Search

•Where do I find this information• The company’s website• Annual reports• Trade journals• Job Bank• Standard & Poor’s• U.S. News and World Report

The Job Search

• Considering the offer• The salary is not the only consideration• Stability: is the company profitable and growing?• Benefits could be worth 35 – 40% of your salary

• Signing bonus• Moving/relocation allowance• Health insurance- be careful• Retirement• Work schedule: flex time/maternity leave• Vacation and holidays• Tuition for education and professional development• Fitness/heath/wellness programs

The Job Search

UofL Career Development Center

Houchens Building LL03

(502) 852 - 6701

www.louisville.com/career

Monday - Friday 9:00 – 5:00