Political Science

Career Planning

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Career Planning

Political science has a wide range of applications and provides useful preparation for a variety of career options.  After Brown, our graduates head to careers in government service, business and industry, journalism, non-profit organizations, communications, research, publishing, technology, and teaching, among others. Many of our concentrators eventually pursue a graduate degree in law, political science, public policy, international affairs, business management, or other related fields.

Political science faculty are happy to talk with you about your career interests. Brown’s Center for Career Exploration is also a good resource for exploring career options. Link: https://career-center.brown.edu/jobs-internships

Alumni Pathways

Explore what Political Science concentrators are doing after graduation:  

Pathways Tool

 

Network with alumni with BrownConnect+.

How to Prepare

A good way to explore the various alternatives is to use the extensive resources in Brown's Center for Career Exploration and on Handshake. The staff is helpful and informed about career opportunities, and we strongly encourage an early visit to that office.

As you think about possible career paths for yourself, here are some things to consider: 

  1. Start exploring options early. 
  2. Research your areas of interest and talk to people currently in the field.
  3. Consider the benefits of acquiring some special skill or talent that other applicants in your area may not have. Your options may be enhanced by acquiring foreign language proficiency, computer programming skills, quantitative techniques, research methods, accounting, and perhaps a set of courses in a related area.
  4. Consider an internship experience, foreign study, or a summer workshop. In some fields, graduate training or advanced study is a must.
  5. Find out which examinations may be necessary for the career path you are considering, such as the GRE,  LSAT, or civil service exam. Talk to someone knowledgeable about the timetable that you will need to follow. Start preparing early.