Political Science Professions and Career Development

Catalog description

This course introduces students to a range of careers available to them with a major or minor in political science or international politics and cultivates professional skills for seeking employment and building a career. Students will learn about careers in government, law, lobbying, consulting, NGOs and nonprofits, journalism, data analysis, and business. They will develop and refine the key documents necessary for the job search, including resumés, cover letters, and writing samples. The course will feature guest speakers throughout the semester to provide students with direct accounts of work experiences, hiring processes, and what is expected from interns and job candidates. By the end of the course students will have assembled a portfolio comprised of their goals for their future career, strategies to pursue those goals, and deliverables to present their knowledge, skills, and potential to future employers. Grades for the course will be based on in-class activities, one exam, and short writing and skills-based assignments that culminate in a final project.