WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

POLITICAL SCIENCE OR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

www.sc.edu/career

po⋅lit⋅i⋅cal sci⋅ence

The study of the processes, principles, and structure of government and of political institutions; politics.*

*"political Science." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 27 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/political Science>.

in·ter·na·tion·al stu·dies

The study of the relations of states with each other and with international organizations and certain sub national entities (e.g., bureaucracies, political parties, and interest groups). It is related to a number of other academic disciplines, including political science, geography, history, economics, law, sociology, psychology, and philosophy.*

* "The American Heritage Dictionary." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 27 Jul. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/19759/The-American-Heritage-Dictionary>.

Political Science At The University Of South

Carolina• The Department of Political Science

offers majors in both political science and international studies.

• Faculty and students frequently refer to these two majors as PS/IS.

Political Science

• Political science is the study of political power; who has it, how it is developed and used, and how it can be controlled to protect individual rights.

• Political science describes and explains such phenomena as the rise and fall of governments, political parties, mass movements, social conflicts, revolutions, and ideologies.

• Political scientists analyze the mechanisms of organizing, influencing, and governing at the local, state, national, and international level.

International Studies

• International studies examines international history, government, politics, and power.

• International studies investigates the rise and fall of foreign policy, governments, conflicts,

Political Science And International Studies Majors

Study• Mechanics of government and international

relations• Negotiation and conflict resolution• Economic planning and resource allocation• Policy development and implementation• Clear and concise communication skills• Constituent needs related to multiple issues

...and more

Political Science At The University Of South Carolina

Undergraduate Options

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Majors: Political Science, International Studies

Minors: Political Science, International Studies

Political Science At The University Of South Carolina

• Graduate Degrees– Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science– Master of Arts (MA) in International Studies– Master of Public Administration (MPA)– Master of Public Administration/Master of

Social Work (Joint Degree)– Master of Public Administration/JD (Joint

Degree)– Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political

Science– Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in International

Studies

Political Science And International Studies Majors

Develop Skills In• Interpreting public

policy• Explaining the

mechanics of government

• Inter-governmental relations

• Using politics to promote public causes

• Organizing public action• Collection, budgeting,

and use of public funds• Analyzing bureaucratic

budgets• Interpretation of policy-

making processes

Political Science And International Studies Majors

Develop Skills In

• Dealing effectively with individuals and groups in many cultures

• Using mathematical methods to analyze statistics and budget

• Organizing projects using the talents of diverse people

• Communicating clearly and concise in both speech and writing

• Predicting the impact of political changes

• Using historical perspective to predict future political events

• Teaching, explaining, and consulting

SpecializationsMost undergraduate programs offer only a general course of study. However, many specializations can be pursued with additional study. The American Political Science Association’s membership identifies 90 specialized subfields in political science. These include (but are not limited to):

African American Politics American Government & Politics

Comparative Politics (including area specialties such as Latin American politics)

Electoral Behavior & Public Opinion International Organizations & Law

International Political Economy International Relations & World Politics International Security & Arms Control

Legislative Politics

Specializations Methodology

Political Communication Political Parties & Interest Groups

Political Philosophy Political Psychology & Socialization

Political Theory Politics and History

Presidential & Executive Politics Public Administration

Public Law & Judicial Politics Public Policy (such as Health Care or Science &

Technology) Urban & Ethnic Politics

Women & Politics

Employment Settings

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in international studies or political science largely work in the following areas:

• Business & Commerce• Communication & Journalism• Consulting• Education• Government & Politics• Law• Social Services & Non-Profit

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Occupations in this setting are associated with the management, manufacturing, distribution, sale, or maintenance of information, goods, services, and/or resources. This is the broadest area of employment and job opportunities vary depending on one’s specific training, skills, and interests.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce• Account Executive• Buyer• Chamber of Commerce

Director• Economic Developer• Government Relations

Specialist• International Banker• International Trade

Specialist• Labor Relations

Specialist

• Management Trainee • Market Research

Analyst• Personnel Interviewer• Real Estate Broker• Researcher• Sales Manager• Translator• Travel Agent• Underwriter

Employment Settings

• Communication & Journalism: Includes print, television, radio, and Internet media. Encompasses everything from business planning and capital development to producing and writing original news or entertainment material.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Communication & Journalism

• Advertising Director• Copywriter• Cultural

Communications Specialist

• Editor• Foreign Correspondent• Media Buyer• Media Planner• News Anchor

• Political Commentator• Press Director• Producer• Public Relations

Specialist• Publications Director• Publisher• Reporter• Speech Writer• Technical Writer

Employment Settings

• Consulting:

Includes historical and ethnographic research; political surveying, social/cultural assessments, designing bilingual and bicultural curricula; assessing services, and more.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Consulting

• Agency Communications Consultant

• Bicultural Curricula Developer

• Business Consultant• Community Planner• Economic Development

Specialist • Employee Relations

Specialist

• Marketing Strategist• Mediator• Management

Consultant • Policy Analyst• Political Survey Analyst• Public Health Advisor• Public Relations

Consultant• Training Specialist

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require proper certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• College or University

Professor• Guidance Counselor• International Student

Advisor• Judicial Affairs Director

• Primary School Teacher• Research Institute

Director• Residence Hall Director• Secondary School

Teacher• Student Government

Advisor• Text Writer

Employment Settings

• Government & Politics: This area of employment involves people working with the development and implementation of public, domestic, and international policy on the local, state, national, or international levels.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Government &Politics• Archivist• Campaign Manager• City Manager• Community Relations

Coordinator• Congressional Aide• Consumer Advocate• Elected Official• Election Assistant• Environmental Policy

Analyst• Event Coordinator

• Federal Program Specialist

• Foreign Service Officer• Intelligence Agent• Foreign Service Officer• Legislative Analyst• Lobbyist• Political Pollster• Protocol Officer• Urban/Regional Planner

Employment Settings

• Law: May include the practice of law, as well as legal research and writing, consulting, mediation, or training in a variety of settings.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Law

• Affirmative Action Director

• Attorney• City or County Council

Legal Advisor• Contract Negotiator• Dispute Resolution

Trainer• Ethics Officer• Land Use Examiner

• Mediator• Ombudsman• Paralegal• Purchasing Agent• Policy Writer• Risk Management

Advisor• Union Representative• Victim’s Advocate

Employment Settings

• Social Services & Non-Profit: Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social Service

& Non-profit

• Advocate• Association Manager• Author/Writer• Community Relations

Coordinator• Development Officer• Event Coordinator• Grant Writer• Historic Site Interpreter

• Non-Profit Agency Director

• Peace Corps Worker• Police Officer• Private Foundation

Program Director• Probation Officer• Social Service

Administrator• Social Worker

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want

• Acquire foreign language competence

• Intern or co-op with a government agency

• Become involved in student government

• Participate it cross-culture groups or organizations

• Develop a network of personal contacts

• Write for campus publications dealing with national or international affairs

• Develop strong math and statistics skills

• Become familiar with hiring practices in government agencies

• Study abroad

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Utilize the office of pre-professional advising if you’re interested in law school

• Intern or work part-time in a law office

• Take courses in public policy, speech, and debate

• Volunteer with a political campaign

• Obtain a business minor• Earn leadership roles in

organizations• Develop strong verbal

and written communication skills

• Become involved in political organizations

Books and Web Resources

Books Great jobs for political science majors - by

Mark Rowh Careers in international affairs – by Maria

Pinto. Carland

Web Resources The American Political Science Association Online

- http://www.apsanet.org/

International Affairs Resources - http://www.etown.edu/vl/

Resources for more Information

USC’s Department of Political Science http://www.cas.sc.edu/poli/ http://www.cas.sc.edu/poli/Undergraduate/UGindex2.html

Career Center libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Related Websites http://www.sc.edu/career/la/poli.html

College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Programwww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: 803-777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)