Career Placements
CAREERS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Because our majors are widely trained with strong critical thinking, writing, and communication skills, they enter a wide variety of careers. Our students are also ready to adapt to new career opportunities. Their knowledge of government and strategy prepares them for careers in the public, non-profit, and private sectors.
Students gain key career building/planning skills beginning in their first year, through
academic advising, coursework, the Political Science Association, and culminating
in their senior capstone course.
Placements over the past 10 years include:
- Government Careers: city, state, county, federal government and military offices and agencies, 27%
- Political and Social advocacy: campaign managers, outreach coordinators, lobbyists, nonprofits managers, policy research, 11%
- Law or Legal Research, 15%
- Higher Education: faculty, administrators, advisers, coordinators, fundraisers, 16%
- Private Sector: banking, finance, insurance, health care, government liaisons, 25%
Some of out placements include a resource development coordinator, sustainability officer, senior planner, management analyst, development and planning giving, compensation coordinator in HR, attorney, victim witness coordinator, field representative for a congressman, city project director, chief of staff for a state representative, senior global for events and field marketing, director of operations for the Democratic party of IL, Chicago deputy budget director, foreign service officer for the State Department, assistant village administrator, chief legislative liaison, IL EPA, and executive director of a county housing authority.
What can I do with a political science degree?