The first major decision that we take about our career as an individual is about choosing the right subject for gaining expertise. Although some people know what they wish to pursue beforehand, yet there are others who are consistently skeptical. Hence, they take even the decision between humanities, commerce, and science either under parental pressure or as an unconscious choice.
Choosing a career path can be a tough call to make. Although, even if one does make a choice, but without proper research, then exploring career opportunities in the same field becomes tougher.
Political Science is a broad subject. People usually misinterpret it to be linked with politics solely. However, it deals with the systems of governance, analysis of political activities, thoughts, and behavior. It comprises of numerous subfields like comparative politics, international relations, political theory, political administration, public policy. Furthermore, it is also related to economics, law, geography, philosophy, anthropology, history, sociology, and psychology.
The study of political science dates back to the second century, the age of a wise philosopher, Chanakya, who authored ‘Arthashastra’ which means ‘the science of politics.’ Chanakya's Arthashastra talks about a welfare state, good governance, foreign trade, taxation, and growth-oriented public expenditure. All these aspects are very much relevant in today’s society and are visible to the naked eye.
Students of political science master their presentation and verbal communication skills as they tend to share work with their faculty and peers. It hones their analytical skills and enshrines them with a critical mindset. The study of Political Science opens up job opportunities not only in just politics but several other diversified fields as well. If you choose political science as your major, you’ll have many top-notched career opportunities available after graduation.
Here are some of the top career opportunities in Political science after graduation -
1. Civil Services
A career in civil services like Indian Administrative Services, Indian Foreign Services, is a student's most popular choice after graduation in Political Science. The Civil Services Examinations are also referred to as UPSC Examinations in India. Its selection process comprises of 3 stages.
- Preliminary exam - It is a 2-hour long objective type paper comprising of questions related to general awareness, English language, numerical aptitude, reasoning
- Mains examination- Candidates who clear the preliminary exams are eligible for the mains. It is a written merit-based test
- Interview round- It is meant to analyze the candidate's personality. So, if you have the knowledge, passion, and personality to pursue a career in civil services, it is recommended that you take your chances
2. Politics
Politics as a career is gaining an enormous amount of importance with time. One can be a politician or a political analyst, or political manager associated with the government. One can enter into politics through volunteering or looking up for political parties with a suitable political ideology.
3. Social Services
If one is a philanthropist and wishes to work for the welfare of society, then pursuing a career in social services is the best way to do so. Making one’s benevolent habit into a profession is an ideal career path for an individual. Social Service, as a career, has begun gaining visibility since the increase in the number of NGOs, MNCs, and government outreach programs. After a bachelor's in Political Science, one can pursue a master's degree in social services to work in this profession.
4. Teaching
Teaching is a universal profession that is open to every field of study and skill. Hence, if one wishes to continue their studies in political science, teaching is the best career path. To become a teacher after a bachelor's in political science, one must acquire a master's degree in political science and a clear UGC-NET exam to apply to any college/university in India.
5. Law
Students of Political Science have a critical and analytical mindset which are the most important in the field of Law. After completing a bachelor in political science, they can pursue law by doing a three year LLB course and passing the All India Bar examination conducted by Bar Council of India.
6. Marketing
The market is big and dynamic. It not only includes economic spheres but also social and political spheres where a Political Science student has good command. Hence, even if one has pursued a bachelor's in Political Science but has an interest in the market and business, he/she can do an MBA or a short term diploma course in marketing after graduation.
7. Political Journalist
Students can pursue journalism after completing their bachelor's in Political Science. They can become an unbiased political journalist. To enter into the media field, one has to pursue a master's degree in journalism or mass communication.
8. UNO
Renowned international organizations like the United Nations also hire Political Science graduates. One has to acquire a higher degree like master's and a Ph.D. to get into this organization and its top-notched posts. However, even a graduate would suffice to work as an intern at UNO.
9. Social Media Manager
The job of social media managers is to understand and analyze various social media platforms and campaigns to shape the perceptions of users. Political Science majors know how society shapes their opinions and how media is an influence upon them.
Political candidates, interest groups require social media managers to monitor the views of the society about their formulations. Hence, this can be a beaming career for political science students.
10. College Student Leadership and Activities Officer
Colleges witness elections of student unions, student bodies who are elected by the students themselves. An activity officer can apply his/her knowledge of the political science background into these bodies. They can help set standards for elections an also monitor that the proceedings are done in a fair manner. It is like becoming a personal election commission of a particular college. It is a very unique career that is rising for Political Science students.
Hence, it can be concluded that Political Science is way more than just politics. Your career path must be an amalgamation of your interests, knowledge, and passion. These were some of the top career opportunities that a student from a Political Science background can look forward to pursuing.
Written by - Nitya Kapoor
Edited by - Sonali Singh
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