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Political Science
What Can I Do With This Discipline/Major?
For helpful resources on your career opportunities, explore the “What Can I Do with This Major” guides for political science and government.
Some common career titles for this major include:
- Court Reporter
- Judges, Mediators, and Hearing Officers
- Lawyer
- Legislator
- Market Research Analyst
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant
- Political Scientist
- Public Relations Manager and Specialist
- Reporter, Correspondent, and Broadcast News Analyst
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Sociologist
- Survey Researcher
- Teacher – Elementary, Middle, and Secondary
- Teacher – Postsecondary
- Urban and Regional Planner
For additional career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Internships and Research Opportunities
Getting applied experience in your field is critical. The following resources will allow you to learn more about your department’s opportunities and process, as well introduce you to other major-specific internship posting resources. For information and support finding and receiving an internship in your major, contact your department's internship coordinator.
Research/Internship Opportunities:
- Consider interning abroad! Search for opportunities by using the keyword "internship."
- Idealist (nonprofit internships)
- Maryland State Archives Internships
- Pathways Federal Internship Program
- The Washington Center
- The Washington Internship Institute
- TU Department of Political Science – Career and Internship Support
- U.S. Secret Service– Student Temporary Employment Program
- U.S. House Representatives for Maryland (see their Web sites for internship information)
- U.S. Senator for Maryland Ben Cardin, Internships
- Log in to Handshake to access Going Global and search for international internships
Careers and Jobs
The resources below are a starting point for your job search. In addition to making use of the Internet to do research, we encourage you to talk to people in the fields you are interested in (don’t forget to use TU’s Tiger Mentor Network) to learn more about specific opportunities and organizations.
- Congressional Research Service Careers
- FindLaw Career Center
- Idealist – Nonprofit Jobs
- ImpactPool.org – Global Careers
- HG.org – Legal Employment Center
- Riley Guide: Sites with Job Listings – Law, Government, Public Service, and Nonprofit Management
- State of Maryland Job Openings
- USAJOBS – Federal Government Jobs
Sample Resumes and Interview Questions
For major specific resume samples, we encourage you to look at the Sample Political Science Resume (PDF) in addition to our Sample Resume Database.
Below are sample interview questions for your field. In preparing for the interview, you’ll also want to review common interview questions (PDF) asked of all majors, thoroughly research the organization, dress professionally, and visit the interview skills section of the Career Center’s website. You can practice your interview skills online via Big Interview or schedule a mock interview with a Career Center staff member.
Interview Questions
Common industry related questions
- What do you see as the benefits of our government? How do you believe it helps people?
- What interests you about political science?
- What has drawn you to a career in the government?
- Tell us about a time where your ethics were challenged. How did you handle the situation?
- Do you have any experience in writing proposals for funding or any other fundraising experience?
- What do you think goes into running a successful campaign?
- Tell us about any experience you have with political campaigns.
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer many benefits to students, often including reduced-price membership, mentorship programs, “careers in…” information, job and internship listings, field-related conferences and publications, and much more. Be sure to check out sections on the associations’ websites related to students, education, careers, etc.
- American Political Science Association
- American Society for Public Administration
- Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
- International Association for Political Science Students
- Public Relations Society of America