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

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

www.apsanet.org - The American Political Science Association
www.psqonline.org - Political Science Quarterly
www.ipsa.org - International Political Science Association (IPSA)
www.abanet.org - The American Bar Association
www.aclu.org - American Civil Liberties Union
www.law.com - Legal News and Information
www.federaljobs.net - Federal Government Employment Information
www.theaapc.org - American Association of Political Consultants
www.cfr.org - Council on Foreign Relations
www.bls.gov/oco - Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - Job type descriptions, job growth forecasts, and salary information

JOB SEARCH LINKS

www.purchase.edu/careerdevelopment - Click on Purchase JobScore to access jobs posted for Purchase students and alumni
www.cs.state.ny.us/jobseeker/public/- NY State Jobs
www.usajobs.gov - The Federal Government's official job site
www.usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads- Provides information and Federal Government job opportunities for students and recent graduates
www.makingthedifference.org - Federal jobs and internships
www.careers.state.gov - Jobs with the U.S. Department of State
www.westchestergov.com - Westchester County government site
www.idealist.org- Nonprofit site, internships and jobs
www.twc.edu - The Washington Center for Internships & Academic Seminars
www.lawjobs.com - Jobs in law and career information
www.fpa.org - Foreign Policy Association - jobs and information
www.publicservicecareers.org - Public service jobs

BOOKS AVAILABLE AT CDC

• Great Jobs for Political Science Majors
• Career Opportunities in Politics, Government and Activism
• Careers in Law
• Public Administration Career Directory
• Law and the Legal Industry
• Careers in International Affairs
• Career Opportunities in the Non Profit Sector
• Journalism and Media Careers
• Intro to Law and Legal Reasoning
• Game Plan for Getting into Law School
• Official Guide to ABA Approved Law Schools

Updated 11/11