Jobs in PLS

The benefits of a political science degree are difficult to summarize.  Most who earn such a degree do not become “political scientists,” but will work in many different areas.  

In its purest sense, a political scientist will earn a graduate degree (MA or PhD) and work at an institution of higher education, either primarily as a teaching professor (as is the case for NOVA political scientists and others who work at community colleges and four-year liberal arts colleges) or as a research professor (as is the case for political scientists at larger, research-oriented universities like George Mason University or the University of Virginia).  Of course, most professors at any institution of higher education both teach and perform research.  

According to labor market data at Virginia’s Career and Workforce-Labor Market Research website (https://virginiaworks.com/, search “political science”) the occupation of “political scientist” is “expected to grow rapidly.”  The American Political Science Association (APSA) points out the many career directions available to those with a bachelor’s degree in political science, falling under the areas of business and finance, public administration and international affairs, non-governmental organizations and non-profits, journalism and media, and academic research and teaching (more here: https://apsanet.org/CAREERS/Careers-In-Political-Science/Careers-Sectors-for-Political-Science).