Should I go for a degree in political science?

[MIScott87]

I am trying to figure out what to major in in college. I think I'll do political science, but I don't know what I could do with that degree.

Thanks for any input.

[kanrok]

1. Two words:

Law school. I was a political science major in college. Unless you're intending to go the academic route and become a college professor (a tough row to hoe) ploy sci is a fun major, but not very practical. I knew I was going to go to law school, hence poli sci. Good luck.

[AngryAmish]

2. No

Get a degree that requires more intellectual rigor.

[democracyindanger]

3. How far along in college are you?

If you've got the time, maybe take a poli sci class or two to see if it's something you'd like.

[MIScott87]

5. I'm actually entering college this fall.

[democracyindanger]

6. Then you've got plenty of time

You'll spend your first couple of years taking classes to fulfill requirements, anyway. Try a class or two, talk to a Poli Sci advisor. Keep your options open.

[MissMarple]

10. Yup, you have lots of time. Some kids change their majors 2-3 times a year

As long as you have a general idea of your academic strengths and abilities (say history vs mechanical engineering) you should be OK. That's why a good liberal arts education is so useful, you can go in so many different directions. There are physicians who majored in English and history. They just picked up the necessary sciences before they took the MCATS. These "pre med", "pre law" tracks aren't all that necessary. In fact philosophy and ethics would be good preparation for law school. IMHO :-)

Good luck!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

4. What about history?

History covers a lot of intellectual elements: philosophy, political science, psychology, social science.

Understanding history is very useful - to understand the origin of traditions, policies, nations, ideas and institutions.

[Menshevik]

7. Yes

If you like the classes, then major in it. I did a BA in polisci...I'm in grad school right now but my friends who did polisci and entered the work force didn't have any trouble landing a job (most are with dem party orgs, NGOs, think tanks, some are in business, etc)

[phusion]

8. Plenty of time...

I changed majors three times in college...All within the first two years.

Just take some classes and see what you like. What are your interests? Is that why you are considering polysci?


Good luck!

[no name no slogan]

9. PoliSci major here

One thing I learned about getting a BA/liberal arts degree: it doesn't really matter what you major in, it's what you do with the education after you get it.

Many liberal arts undergrads view their education as some sort of a "training course" for a future job, which is far from what it is. A liberal arts education gives you a good grounding in what you need to be successful. It teaches you how to think, how to analyze problems, and how things got to be the way they are. It does not necessarily train you for a specific job-- but it gives you a broad base of knowledge for just about any job there is.

I have a BA in PoliSci with minors in communications and English, and I've done many different types of jobs in the 14 years since I graduated. Most of them have not been related to politics-- in fact, the "jobs" in politics tend to suck, and don't pay very well, either. You won't get to make policy unless you get a law degree, too. You'll probably end up doing clerical work around an elected official's office, like reading the mail, answering phone calls, and managing your boss's schedule. Not stuff that you need a PoliSci degree for.

My first "real" job out of college was managing a fast-food restaurant. My next one was working for a Fortune 500 insurance/financial services company. After that, I taught myself how to develop web sites and web applications, and worked for a couple dot-coms before they went bust. Currently, I work for the State of MN , doing web admin/development for the state dept. of human services. That's as close to a 'political' job as I've come.

If you want to become a professional, full-time political activist (working for a 527 or a non-profit), you don't need a PoliSci degree to do that. Of the many people I know who have done this full-time, only one was a PoliSci grad. The others are history, English, philosophy and economics majors.

If you want to learn more about how our current system works, and how it compares to other systems, definately major in PoliSci. Also, if you want to learn more about political philosophy, political theory, or the law, definately major in PoliSci.

Otherwise, you do not need a PoliSci degree to be a political activist.