A freshers guide to job prospects following a degree in politics

University courses Politics
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Studying politics opens up a wide variety of career options across multiple sectors. Here are some job roles that someone with a degree in politics might pursue:

1. Government & Public Sector

  • Civil Servant: Working in government departments to implement policies and manage public services.
  • Policy Analyst: Researching and evaluating the effects of policies on specific groups or society as a whole.
  • Legislative Assistant: Supporting elected officials by researching legislation, preparing speeches, or drafting policy proposals.
  • Diplomat: Representing your country abroad in diplomatic missions or international organizations like the United Nations.

2. Political & Campaign Roles

  • Political Consultant: Advising politicians or organizations on campaign strategy, public relations, and voter engagement.
  • Campaign Manager: Organizing political campaigns, overseeing fundraising, public events, and voter outreach.
  • Lobbyist: Advocating for businesses, non-profit organizations, or specific causes to influence government policy.

3. International Relations & Organizations

  • International Aid/Development Worker: Working with NGOs or international organizations on global challenges like poverty, human rights, or education.
  • Foreign Service Officer: Serving as a representative of your country in embassies and consulates worldwide.
  • United Nations/NGO Officer: Working in global governance, human rights, or development programs.

4. Law & Legal Sector

  • Paralegal/Legal Researcher: Supporting lawyers, particularly in cases related to public policy or human rights.
  • Human Rights Officer: Working with international or domestic organizations to defend and promote human rights.

5. Media & Journalism

  • Political Journalist/Reporter: Covering elections, policies, or international affairs for newspapers, TV, or digital media.
  • Broadcast Analyst: Providing expert analysis on political events for TV or radio networks.
  • Political Commentator: Writing or speaking about political developments, offering expert opinions.

6. Research & Academia

  • Political Researcher: Conducting research on political trends, voting behaviour, or government policy for think tanks or academic institutions.
  • University Lecturer: Teaching political science or international relations at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

7. Non-profit & Advocacy Roles

  • Non-profit Manager: Leading organizations focused on social, environmental, or political causes.
  • Advocacy/Activism Coordinator: Organizing grassroots movements or campaigns for social justice or environmental issues.

8. Business & Private Sector

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager: Ensuring a company’s policies align with environmental, social, and governance standards.
  • Public Relations Specialist: Managing a company or political party’s image, particularly in relation to political or social issues.
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I’ve always thought about possibly working in international relations, but I’m also drawn to the idea of being a political consultant. Do you think it’s better to specialize in one area, like international relations, or is it more beneficial to have a broader understanding of different roles in politics? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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It depends which area you are going into but basic understanding of British Politics and International Affairs is very helpful.

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That’s such a wide range of career paths for politics graduates! I’m really drawn to the idea of working as a diplomat or in international relations—what kind of specific skills or experiences do you think would be most useful for landing a job in that area? Also, how competitive is it to get into something like the Foreign Service or work with organizations like the UN?

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There are numerous routes into the FCDO like the Civil Service Diplomatic and Development Fast Stream Scheme or you can apply to EO level jobs. With the UN, it is much more difficult, you usually have to have 1-2 years experience in a relevant field.

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