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Question

I recently graduated with a degree in political science, and I'm having a tough time finding a job. Can you comment on the job market for political sciences?

Answer

Let's look at this two ways. First of all, if you want to find a job directly relevant to your major, government work would seem like a natural choice. Beyond the obvious city, county, state, and federal governing bodies, don't forget to consider government agencies and lobbying organizations (the latter tend to describe themselves more discreetly as "advocacy groups"). If you don't live in a government town, then you might want to look into moving either to Washington, D.C., or to a state capital.

The second way to look at this is to take a broader view of what you can do with your degree. A political science major can be good preparation for careers either in teaching or in law, if you are interested in going on to earn additional degrees. A political science major also demands a general enough skill set, including research and analytical ability, to be acceptable for entry into business. As long as your grades were good, your major should allow you to apply for a variety of entry-level jobs. Once you get your foot in the door, your abilities and experience will matter much more than your college major.

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