Career Opportunities
What Can I Do With A Major in Political Science?
A liberal arts degree and a major in political science along with prior work experience, internships, as well as your personal skills and talents prepare you for many careers paths. Employment opportunities for political science graduates include many challenging and rewarding careers in government, nonprofits, international organizations, political campaigns, teaching, management, communications, the media, and the legal field.
Although an advanced degree widens your employment options and allows for greater flexibility in salary negotiations and career advancement, many political science graduates secure positions with only a bachelors degree.
The following web sites provide some possibilities for future employment opportunities in the job market but first check out these current job listings:
Current Local Job Listings For Poli Sci Students & Recent Grads
Jobs for Political Science Majors:
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Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is seeking an entry-level Constituent Service Representative. Posted November 23.
Primary job responsibility is to greet constituents on the phone and in person and staff the front desk. Job also includes writing and tracking correspondence on behalf of the Mayor. This is a full time position and some evening and weekend hours are required. Salary DOQ.
Interested parties should send a résumé and writing sample to Bob Hume, Communications Director for Mayor Chris Coleman at bob.hume@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Sarah Erickson
Government Relations Specialist
City of Saint Paul
Office of the Mayor
320 City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
sarah.erickson@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651-266-8519
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Canvass Director and Assistant Director Job Descriptions. Posted November 17.
Background
Grassroots Campaigns, Inc is a national, political consulting firm that specializes in running face-to-face citizen mobilization campaigns for political parties, candidates, and advocacy groups.
Canvass Directors and Assistant Canvass Directors manage our 30 grassroots fundraising field offices across the country, with bottom-line responsibility for all local operations.
TO APPLY: please send your resume to Christine Nannicelli at cnannicelli@grassrootscampaigns.com.
Job Responsibilities:
* Recruitment: Build a team of 15-40 canvassers by recruiting from within the local community. Interview prospective staff and make hiring decisions.
* Staff Management: Teach canvassing/fundraising skills. Work with your staff in individual and group settings, with a particular eye towards developing leaders. Cultivate a welcoming and motivating atmosphere.
* Canvassing: Canvass in the field for four days per week, to train new and experienced staff in the field and meet personal fundraising requirements.
* Administration: Carefully track income and expenses. Manage the budget for your office. Process staff payroll. Maintain records for future organizing efforts.
Qualifications:
Strong communication and motivational skills, work ethic, and desire for political change are essential. Candidates must be able to work within a team, have proven leadership ability and an orientation towards handling a lot of responsibility. Strong self-direction and the ability to take initiative are also necessary qualifications. Previous field or canvassing experience is a plus, and may qualify candidates for additional leadership positions.
Training:
Newly hired directors will typically spend three weeks doing field training, working intensely alongside experienced directors and will also attend a week-long national classroom training in their first year. Additionally, directors receive support from regional management staff throughout their time on staff. After one year in the position, staff will have learned the basics of running a successful grassroots campaign, including, but not limited to, fundraising and donor recruitment, hiring and supervising staff and/or volunteers, and turf management.
Expectations:
Positions last through the midterm Elections in 2010. Campaign hours can run 80-100 hours per week, including work on weekends.
Salary/Benefits:
Annual salary for Assistant Canvass Directors begins at $24,000. Staff may opt into our health care plan (PPO). Paid training, vacation and sick days are included; student loan assistance is available.
Timing and Location:
Positions are available in cities nationwide. Currently hiring in MA, NY, PA, DC, OH, IL, MN, MO, CO, CA, WA, OR, TX
Please visit our website, www.grassrootscampaigns.com, for more information about current and past campaigns.
Grassroots Campaigns past and current clients include: Democratic National Committee, MoveOn.org Political Action, League of Conservation Voters, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause,, Working America, Amnesty International, Center for American Progress, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Save the Children. (Save the Children is an independent organization and is not religiously or politically aligned. Save the Children has no direct affiliation with the organizations Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. partners with.)
Helpful Web Sites For Your Job Search
For local/Minnesota jobs: City of Minneapolis , City of St. Paul , Hennepin County , Minneapolis Star and Tribune , Minnesota Council of Nonprofits , Minnesota State Legislature , Ramsey County , Saint Paul Pioneer Press , State of Minnesota--Department of Employee Relations , U.S. Government Office of Personnel Management .
For jobs across America: American Political Science Association, Campaign Jobs (Republican) , Careers in Government , Central Intelligence Agency , Federal Bureau of Investigation , Government Jobs , HillZoo.com , Roll Call , U.S. Department of Justice , U.S. Department of State , U.S. Government Office of Personnel Management , U.S. House of Representatives , U.S. Secret Service , U.S. Senate , White House .
For help with writing your resume and cover letter as well as practicing your interview skills, visit the College of Liberal Arts Career Center in 135 Johnston Hall