Political Science
What Can I Do In My Major?
Overview
Political Science majors are prepared for many careers in the private and public sector – including business, law, government at all levels, journalism, political campaigns, interest groups and more.
B.A. in Political Science degree has a strong liberal arts focus, including a foreign language requirement. American Politics concentration prepares you to work
effectively and to productively engage in politics. The International and Comparative Politics concentration explores international affairs, current events and critical issues such as illegal patterns of immigration, international trade and conflict, domestic and international terrorism, drug policy, arms control and social justice. The Pre-Professional Legal Studies concentration is designed to introduce students to the law school curriculum and prepare them for law school admissions. In the Public Administration concentration, you will develop an understanding of local and state government administration.
Concentrations
American Politics
International and Comparative Politics
Pre-professional Legal Studies
Public Administration
Related Careers
Advocate
Attorney *
Broadcast Journalist
Campaign Manager
City Manager*
Community Relations Director*
Congressional Aide
Consumer Advocate
Environmental Policy Analyst*
FBI/CIA Agent*
Foreign Service Officer
Government Intelligence Analyst*
Labor Organizer
Labor Relations Specialist
Legal Assistant
Legislative Analyst
Lobbyist
Management Analyst
Media Analyst
Paralegal
Politician
Public Administrator/Manager*
Public Opinion Interviewer
Public Relations Specialist
Research Analyst
Social Services Administrator
Special Interest Group Director*
Teacher
Urban/Regional Planner
*additional experience or advanced degree may be required
Related Major Skills
Analytical thinking
Computer literate
Decision-making
Interact with diverse populations
Leadership abilities Oral & written communication
Problem-solving
Research skills
Team worker
Understanding of community needs
Work well under pressure
Internship Opportunities
American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA)
Candace Morton
Capua Law Firm
City-County Planning Board
City of Bessemer City
City of Hickory
City of Mebane
Columbus County Administration
Conference for Youth Justice
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Cru
Delaware Department of Justice in Kent County
Democracy North Carolina
Dinner2Dirt
Friends committee on National Legislation
High Country Breast Cancer Foundation
High Country Council of Governments
High Point Police Department
Hospitality House
NCDPS Community Supervision
North Carolina Office of the Treasurer
Norman Butler Law Office
Partnership for Public Service
Peace Players International
Pickard’s Mountain Eco-Institute
Republican National Committee
Robert Speed
Sea Service Family Counseling
Stand Against Trafficking USA
Senator Kay Hagen's Office
Town of Blowing Rock
Town of Davidson
Town of Mount Airy
United States Congress
Western Youth Network
Wilkes County
Winston-Salem Department of Transportation
Employers of AppState grads
Aeon Corporation
Aim Higher Now
American City Business Journals
Americorps
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Cisco
Cisco
City Of Durham
Close Up Foundation
Corning
Data Trust
Duke Energy
Eller Law Office
Everybody Wins DC
Friends Committee on National Legislation
High Country Media
IBM Hybrid Cloud
J.P. Morgan
Lead For North Carolina
National General Insurance
NC Democratic Party
North Carolina Department Of Public Safety
NC Department Of Justice
New River Conservancy
Nolan Transportation Group
NC State Legislature
Peace Corps
Pepsi Co.
Randstad
Red Hat
Resicum International, LLC
Safe Alliance
Samaritan’s Purse
Southern Energy Management
State of NC
The Center For Community Transitions
The Dream Program, Inc.
The Brady Campaign
The Nexus Fund
The Office of the VP of the U.S.
The Salvation Army
U.S. Congress
U.S. Navy
U.S. Senate
Watauga County Democratic Party
Wells Fargo
White House
Young Democrats Of North Carolina
Yunus Emre Institute
State/Regional/National Police Departments State/Regional/National law offices
Various law offices
Graduate School Enrollment
Appalachian State University
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Elon University School of Law
International TEFL Academy
Campbell University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of South Carolina School of Law
Wake Forest University School of Law
Southeastern University
Professional Organizations and Associations
American Political Science Association
International Political Science Association
Midwest Political Science Association
Preparing for Your Career
• Complete a self-assessment inventory at the Career Exploration Office in the Student Union to see how your interests, values, and personality match this major and related career fields.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor on careers.appstate.edu/Handshake
• Obtain direct experience by doing a job shadow
• Conduct an informational interview with a professional in the field
For more information on careers & job outlook: onetonline.org