Political scientists work to understand government and politics in theory and in practice by considering topics in international relations, government operations, local administration and more. They can hold positions at large universities or national nonprofits, for instance, and might focus on teaching, research or service.

As a department head and professor of government at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Michelle D. Deardorff has the “joy of being able to teach, speak, read (and) write about the way in which power and government interact with individuals and communities,” she says.

Though more than half of political scientists worked for the federal government in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are also opportunities in other sectors. Political scientists mostly interested in research, for instance, can look for positions at think tanks, while those who wish to focus on teaching might find their home at a community college.

Political scientists employ empirical or normative approaches in their studies. The empirical approach allows political scientists to study "what is" through observation, while a normative perspective supports studies of "what could or should be," Deardorff says. Political scientists should be self-starters who are interested in the field’s big questions.

“I think if you’re a really passive person this is going to be a harder field,” Deardorff says.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.6% employment growth for political scientists between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 400 jobs should open up.

Becoming a political scientist requires going beyond undergraduate education to a master’s or doctorate degree. Master’s degrees should be in a relevant field such as public policy or public administration, while doctorate degrees typically focus on a subfield of political science, such as international relations or political theory.

But prospective political scientists can start gathering relevant experiences in their college years, and a bachelor’s degree can help land a job in politics. Deardorff advises undergraduates to look for ways to engage outside the classroom.

“If students find a way to prioritize those kinds of practical experiences, even if it is volunteering for your local government and then waiting tables at night or doing whatever you can to make money, those experiences help pay off,” she says.

As an undergraduate, Deardorff got as many experiences as she could, though “they weren’t glamorous,” she says. “It helps because when people see you’re hustling and you’re working hard, there’s people who will watch that and open doors for you.”

When considering a master’s or Ph.D. program, prospective applicants should think about the kind of work they want to do after school. Master’s programs might prepare students to work in government administration, for instance, while Ph.D. programs can lead students to careers in academia.

Prospective doctorate students should also consider how competitive their application will be. If getting a Ph.D. would put them into debt, “I would think really cautiously about that,” Deardorff says. If a student cannot achieve “full funding where they pay tuition and you get a stipend and you’re working, you may not be as competitive on the job market afterwards,” she adds.