Careers

Government

• Public Policy
• Research
• Regional Planning
• City or Town Management
• Intelligence
• Foreign Service
• Law Enforcement
• Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
• Program Administration

Employers

Federal, state, and local government

Strategies

• Complete an internship in government or related area.
• Serve in model United Nations.
• Become involved in student government.
• Participate in cross-cultural groups and organizations.
• Write for campus publications focused on national and international affairs.
• Develop skills in computers, statistics, and data analysis.
• Acquire foreign language competency and travel experience for international positions.
• Supplement curriculum with business courses.
• Earn a graduate degreein political science or public administration for advancement.
• Volunteer with the staff of a government official. Participate in local or national campaigns.

Law

Employers

• Law firms
• Corporations
• Federal, state, and local government
• Private practice
• Special interest groups
• Universities

Strategies

• Develop excellent research, writing, analysis, and communication skills.
• Planto attend law school and earn a law degree.
• Obtain specialized certification for paralegal positions.

Politics

• Elected or Appointed Leadership
• Campaign Management
• Staff Administration
• Special Interest Advocacy

Employers

• Legislative, executive, or judicial officials
• National, state, or local government
• Political action committees
• Special interest group
• Political parties
• Campaigns (national, state, or local)

Strategies

• Volunteer for national or local campaigns. Gain experience through internships in government.
• Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
• Seek leadership roles on the regional or national level.
• Become involved in campus political organizations, 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.

Nonprofit

• Administration
• Management
• Public Relations
• Fund Raising

Employers

• Nonprofit organizations
• Foundations
• Professional associations
• Special interest groups

Strategies

• Gain experience through volunteering or completing an internship.
• Supplement curriculum with courses in business, psychology, sociology, or social work.
• Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
• Develop strong written andoral communication skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a specialty area (e.g., public health, environment, urban issues).

Business

• Sales
• Human Resources
• Management
• Advertising
• Public Relations

Employers

• Product and service organizations
• Retail stores
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Manufacturers
• Financial companies
• Insurance companies
• Print and electronic media
• Other business corporations

Strategies

• Develop strong analytical, verbal, writing, and computer skills.
• Acquire a business minor or add business as a double major.
• Gain experience in an area of interest through internships or other employment.
• Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.

Journalism

• Editing
• Reporting
• Circulation
• Sales

Employers

• Newspapers (national, local, or trade)
• Wire services
• Magazines
• Internet sites
• Large corporations
• Political parties
• Political action committees

Strategies

• Obtain summer or part-time work experience with a newspaper or magazine.
• Complete an internship in journalism.
• Choose writing intensive coursework.
• Become proficient in desktop publishing and photography.
• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Join the college newspaper, yearbook, or other publication staff. Become a student member of professional associations.
• Createa portfolio of published writing samples.
• Obtain experience in and knowledge of a specialty area of interest.

Other Professions

• Academic Advisor
• Admission Officer
• Archives Technician
• Area Manager
• Attorney
• Attorney General
• Circuit Judge
• Congressional Aide
• Congressional Liaisons
• Consumer Advocate
• Defense Intelligence Agent
• Foreign Correspondent
• Lawyer
• Lobbyist
• Mayor
• Military Officer
• Newspaper/Magazine Journalist
• Paralegal
• Peace Corps/VISTA Worker/Volunteer
• Penologist
• Policy Analyst
• Political Consultant
• Political Scientist
• Politician
• Presidential Advance Person
• Probation Officer
• Parole Officer
• Professor
• Public Administrator/Manager
• Public Opinion Interviewer
• Researcher
• Survey Worker
• Social Studies Teacher
• Technical Writer
• Writer/Author