Political Science
When exploring possible academic majors, begin by investigating the specific programs at Purchase College. Discover more about the B.A. in Political Science, and find out about program requirements, courses and the program faculty.
Want to find out more about a major? Talk to department heads and professors to have your questions answered and to get the inside track on being a Political Science major at Purchase College.
Career Possibilities
The following is a list of some career possibilities that students in this major might find rewarding. Remember, that your major does not necessarily determine your career. Graduates use their academic majors in a variety of professional fields. The options below can be used as a starting point to explore potential career paths, however, you may also want to investigate more using recommended resources to gain a more comprehensive list of careers. Keep in mind that additional education, training, and experiential education beyond your major may be needed to pursue these possibilities.
Acquired Skills
- Ability to speak articulately read comprehensively and write well
- Ability to persuade and influence others
- Observant
- Decision making
- Research, collect, organize and clearly present information to others
- Ability to analyze and evaluate data
- Solving problems
- Aptitude for accuracy and detail
- Leadership abilities
- Works well under pressure
- Ability to communicate abstract ideas to others
Career Titles
- Archivist
- Author
- Budget Analyst
- City Planner
- Detective
- Diplomat
- District Attorney
- Editor
- Educator
- Federal Agent
- Foreign Service Officer
- Fund Raiser
- Government Worker
- Issue Analyst
- Journalist
- Judge
- Lawyer
- Lobbyist
- Market Researcher
- Media Relations
- News Reporter
- Paralegal
- Police Officer
- Political Consultant
- Political Scientist
- Politician
- Pollster
- Professor
- Public Administrator
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Reporter
- Research Assistant
- Researcher
- Student Affairs Administrator
Types of Organizations that Hire
- Government Agencies
- Judicial Offices
- Law Firms
- Military Divisions
- News Agencies
- International Agencies
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Museums
- Foundations
- Civic Organizations
- Financial Institutions
- Employee Unions
- Educational Institutions
- Corporations
- Non-profit Organizations
Career Information and Professional Associations
- Employers of Political Science majors
- The American Political Science Association
- Political Science Quarterly
- International Political Science Association (IPSA)
- The American Bar Association
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Law.com - Legal News and Information
- American Association of Political Consultants
- Council on Foreign Relations
- National Association of State Lobbyists
- Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - Job type descriptions, job growth forecasts, and salary information
Job Search Links
- Career Development Center - Go to Purchase JobScore to access jobs posted for Purchase students and alumni
- NYS Department of Civil Service - NY State Jobs
- USAJobs - The Federal Government’s official job site
- USAJobs (students) -Provides information and Federal Government job opportunities for students and recent graduates
- Go Government - Federal jobs and internships
- GovtJobs
- US Department of State - Jobs with the U.S. Department of State
- Westchester County Government
- Idealist - Nonprofit site, internships and jobs
- SUNY Washington Internship Program - Spend a semester in Washington, DC
- LawJobs - Jobs in law and career information
- Foreign Policy Association - jobs and information
- Public Service Careers
- Partnership for Public Service
- New York State Unified Court System
- NYC Office of the Mayor Jobs