Careers in Political Science

1. Careers in Political Science Nicole Glenos Career Development Center

2. Who Majors in Political Science? • Anne Rice – author of the Vampire Chronicles • Jane Pauley – television journalist • Steve Case – founder of AOL • Barack Obama & Joe Biden • Kevin McClatchy – CEO of the Pittsburgh Pirates • Madeleine Albright – first woman to become Secretary of State • Margaret Heckler – Secretary of Health and Human Services • Donald Fehr – attorney for the MLB Association • Alec Baldwin - actor

3. Self-knowledge • A degree in Political Science offers a wide variety of career opportunities. • Knowledge of the following will help you in the decision-making process: • Values • Interests • Strengths • Life goals • Work environment preferences

4. Values Values and your Career Development:Including values as a directional piece in your career development is imperative to understanding where you are headed. • What do I want in a career? • Where do I want to live and work? • What kind of job appeals to me? • What kind of coworkers will be kindred spirits? • What kind of working conditions will be rewarding? • What level of responsibility can I handle? • What salary level is important for me to attain? • Do I want to continue my education by attending graduate school?

5. Overview of Career Options Nonprofit Journalism Broadcasting Education • Government • International Affairs • Law • Politics • Business

6. Career Options • Government • Public policy • Research • Regional planning • Intelligence (ex. CIA) • Foreign services (ex. Department of State) • Law enforcement • Legislative, judicial, or executive services • Program administration • City/town management

7. Career options • International Affairs • Governance • Policy making and analysis • Public law • Human rights activism • Organization & management development • Resource development • Public sector reform • Media/Communication Policy and Practice Education • Ethics and anti-corruption • Foreign policy

8. Career Options • Law • Lawyer- prosecution, defense, constitutional, property, corporate, etc. • Federal, state, and local government • Private practice • Special interest • Universities • Law assistance • Non profit/public interest

9. Career Options • Politics • Elected or appointed official • Campaign management • Political advertising • Staff administration • Special interest advocacy • Business • Sales • Human resources • Management • Advertising

10. Career Options • Nonprofit • Administration • Management • Public relations • Fundraising • Nonprofit organizations • Foundations • Professional associations • Special interest groups

11. Career options • Journalism • Editing • Reporting • Sales • Newspapers • Magazines • Internet news companies • Corporations • Political parties and action committees

12. Career Options • Broadcasting • News programming • Productions • TV stations • Radio stations • Independent syndications • Education • Public and private schools • Colleges and universities

13. The Job Search Once I have decided on a career path, how do I find a job???

14. The job search • Essential Materials and Skills • Résumé • Cover letter • Interviewing skills • Networking skills

15. The Job Search • What can I do to create/develop these materials and skills? • Visit the Career Development Center’s website and use the online resources • Practice interviewing using Interview Stream • Research common interview questions for your field • Identify the contacts you already have and begin developing your network

16. The Job Search • Research your field • How does your field recruit? • What are the most commonly used forms of posting jobs for your field? • What types of jobs are available? • What types of companies offer positions that you are interested in? • What are the salary ranges? • What does a typical day of work look like?

17. The Job Search • How/where do I find jobs? • Networking • Career fairs • Job boards • Cards Career Link • www.Linkedin.com • www.careers.org • www.nace.org • Company websites • Newspapers

18. The Job Search • How long should the job search process take? • Consider the process a “long-term campaign” • Give yourself at least 6 – 9 months to find a job

19. The Job Search • Applications • Follow directions to the letter • Tailor your application to the position – do not just cut and paste from your résumé • Complete all fields of the application • If uploading your documents, save in pdf form (name the file using your name and job title) • Save your work every few minutes

20. The Job Search What should I do to prepare for an interview? Research the company: • Mission statement • Organizational structure • Headquarters • Client base • Products/services • Financials • Competitors • Number of employees • Employee benefits • Organizational culture • What the company does and how they do it • CEO/President

21. The Job Search • Where do I find this information • The company’s website • Annual reports • Trade journals • Job Bank • Standard & Poor’s • U.S. News and World Report

22. The Job Search • Considering the offer • The salary is not the only consideration • Stability: is the company profitable and growing? • Benefits could be worth 35 – 40% of your salary • Signing bonus • Moving/relocation allowance • Health insurance- be careful • Retirement • Work schedule: flex time/maternity leave • Vacation and holidays • Tuition for education and professional development • Fitness/heath/wellness programs

23. The Job Search UofL Career Development Center Houchens Building LL03 (502) 852 - 6701 www.louisville.com/career Monday - Friday 9:00 – 5:00