Top Career Paths for Public Affairs and Political Science Majors

If you’re considering majoring in political science or public affairs, you’re probably already thinking about the potential careers you could pursue after graduation. Career options for political science majors include many paths in government, non-profits, political campaigns, journalism and other fields. In this post, we’ll explore the different career paths you can take in political science and public affairs.

What Is Political Science?

Political science, simply put, is the study of politics through a scientific lens. It focuses on government, political systems, and power, as well as the constitutions and laws that govern countries and regions. Political science examines political activities, thoughts and behaviour, exploring how governments function and how people interact with them.

The field involves both the theory and practice of politics and governance. Students gain an understanding of political institutions and organizations, political parties and the ways governments work together on the international stage.

Research and analysis are central to political science. This includes gathering and interpreting data to understand how government and politics affect societies, as well as examining the structures of government and other institutions, their processes, and how decisions are made.

What Is Public Affairs?

Public affairs involves organizations and governments working together to build relationships, shape policy, and advocate for their respective interests. Within public affairs, organizations use a range of activities and strategies to engage with government, represent their perspectives, and influence the policy-making process. In short, it’s how companies, non-profits, and other organizations make their voices heard in public policy.

Public affairs often includes:

• Government and stakeholder relations
• Corporate communication and crisis management
• Public policy advocacy
• Organizing and coordinating events and campaigns
• Conducting research and analyzing public opinion
• Public relations activities and media outreach
• Lobbying efforts

Top Careers In Political Science and Public Affairs

Now that you have a better understanding of what political science and public affairs are, you may be wondering what jobs are in political science and public affairs. To help answer this question, we’ll explore some of the top careers you can pursue with credentials in political science or public affairs.

Government Jobs

Many political science majors go on to work in local, provincial or federal governments. There are numerous government and political job opportunities available after graduation. Some jobs you may consider include:

• Public policy administrator: This catchall includes various positions as public affairs officers, policy analysts, political advisers, public relations officers and campaign organizers.
• Legislative or parliamentary assistant: Assists elected legislators in their duties by providing research and administrative support.
• Public relations specialist: Communicates activities with the public and coordinates press coverage and media relationships, along with organizing programs, responding to public concerns and managing relationships.
• Public opinion researcher: Conducts polls and researches public sentiment about various policies, candidates and government officials.
• Administrative and policy officers: Jobs in this area include immigration officers, customs officers, foreign service officers, Aboriginal relations officers and project officers.
• Economic development: Various roles focus on business and job growth, as well as working with other government entities to advise on policies that can affect economic growth.

Non-Profit Jobs

Non-profit organizations deal with politics and government on a regular basis. Working at a non-profit, especially for a cause you strongly believe in, can be a fulfilling career choice. Some non-profit careers that are a good fit for someone with a public affairs or political science diploma are:

• Community organizer or worker: Engages with the community and encourages involvement and advocacy while addressing political issues related to the organization.
• Lobbyist: Advocates for special interest groups to influence policy in government.
• Volunteer coordinator: Works with and recruits volunteers to help support the non-profit’s mission.
• Program coordinator: Oversees the programs, events and activities of the non-profit organization. 
• Public relations specialist: Manages relationships with media and the public, coordinates outreach efforts and handles communication from the public. 
• Fundraising manager: Coordinates efforts to raise funds, generate donations and manage fundraising events and other activities.
• Policy analyst: Gains expertise on policies and issues relevant to the organization through research and analysis.

Political Campaign Jobs

While political campaigns rely on many volunteers, there are also paid jobs working on political campaigns, which may include:

• Campaign manager: Manages and coordinates campaigns for political candidates. 
• Field worker: Works within the community on all activities related to political campaigns, including voter education, outreach and more.
• Communications manager: Develops communications strategies and activities, including campaign messaging, media relations, social media management and more.
• Fundraising coordinator or director: Leads fundraising efforts, such as coordinating fundraising events and activities, donor relations and grant writing.
• Volunteer coordinator: Works with and recruits volunteers to help elect a candidate or advocate for an issue.
• Researcher: Gathers data on political candidates and their competitors’ backgrounds, positions on policy and more.
• Speechwriter: Writes speeches for various political appearances for candidates.

Communications Jobs

When dealing with the public, various organizations, government entities and politicians, communication jobs are important in any organization. Some communications jobs related to public affairs and political science include:

• Public relations manager: Manages media relations and public outreach, writes and distributes press releases and handles communications with the public.
• Journalist: Reports on government and political topics in various formats, such as print and digital publications, television, radio/podcasts, and other news organizations.
• Political commentator: Researches and shares analysis with news organizations on political activities and issues.
• Editorial assistant: Supports editors in various administrative tasks, including research, proofreading, and more. 

Other Jobs in Political Science

Other public affairs and political careers that don’t fall into any of the categories above include:

• Public affairs specialist: Researches public policy and develops and executes strategies to protect business interests while maintaining a positive image with the public and media.
• Consultant: An expert on a special subject, campaign activities or policy that offers advice to various organizations.
• Elections supervisor: Oversees elections and ensures they are conducted legally.
• Programs officer: Works in communities to develop programs for youth, seniors or other groups of people.
• Market researcher: Supports various organizations or individuals to gather data on market trends and behaviour to inform business decisions.
• Political scientist: Researches various political systems, public opinion, and activities to inform decisions related to government and politics.

Get Started In Your Political Career

As you can see, there are a number of career paths in political science and public affairs. If you’re ready to jump-start your career, MaKami’s Applied Politics and Public Affairs diploma program may be right for you. Learn how you can get a diploma and start your career in just two years!