Political Science Career Guide

Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths

Academic Resources

Explore Political Science academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.

Curriculum Guide

Political Science Department

CLAS Advising Center

What Can I Do With This Major?

2 students talking

Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.

Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Political Science! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Jobs via Handshake

Political Science Career and Internship Site

Career Communities


Menu of Experiences

Sample Political Science Internship Sites

Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.

Washington Center Internships

Advocacy

Political Science Internships

Read About Other Political Science Internships

General Information on Internships

Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills

Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.

 

Electives to Consider

Community Service Opportunities

Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.

The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.

Civic Engagement Center

Political Science Study Abroad Options

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

Learn about the fields of International Relations and Political Science abroad by embarking on your own real life experience abroad. Studying abroad provides you with unique opportunities to build intercultural communication and problem-solving skills essential to success in these fields. Step out into the world and earn academic credit by studying abroad. 

Political Science Study Abroad
Explore Internships Abroad

Undergraduate Scholar Engagement

Political science students engage in research in all upper-level elective courses, and some also engage in research projects outside of class with faculty members. Talk to a current Political Science professor about research opportunities!

The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.

Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE)


Political Science Career Spotlights

Political Science (Department Spotlights)

James Meernik '85 Spotlight

James Meernik '85

Political Science Professor

Alan Dunklow '07 Spotlight

Alan Dunklow '07

Assistant Attorney General for Maryland

Richard Damstra '96 Spotlight

Richard Damstra '96

Foreign Service Office, U.S. Department of State

James Spaanstra '74 Spotlight

James Spaanstra '74

Energy and Natural Resources Attorney

Edward Cardenas '95 Spotlight

Edward Cardenas '95

Media and Communications Expert

View More Political Science (Department Spotlights)

Where Alumni Have Landed

Non-Profit

  • Diversity Specialist, Human Resources, Meijer Gardens
  • CEO, Community Action House, Holland, Michigan
  • Database Coordinator, Grand Rapids Community College
  • Community Economic Development Volunteer, Peace Corps
  • Teacher, Teach For America
  • Legal Assistant, Legal Aid of Western Michigan
  • International Admissions Counselor, University of Detroit Mercy
  • Transitional Foster Care/Refugee Resettlement Assistant – Bethany Christian Services


Advocacy

  • Lobbyist, Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, Washington, DC
  • Campaign Managers, various local, state, and federal campaigns
  • Advocacy Manager, HealthHIV
  • Associate, Democratic Partners
  • Outreach Vice Chair, Michigan Republican Party


Government and Policy

  • Financial Specialist, Budget Office, State of Michigan
  • District Director, Office of Rep. Bill Huizenga
  • Communications Manager, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
  • Senior Associate Staff Secretary, The White House
  • Senior Legal Counsel, US House of Representatives member
  • Chief of Staff, Rep. John Moolenaar
  • City Planner, Norton Shores, Michigan
  • Elections Director, Kent County, Michigan
  • City Manager, Spring Lake, Michigan
  • Chief Climate and Energy Strategist, State of Michigan
  • Director of Development Services, City of Muskegon, Michigan

Law

  • Attorney, Bruman Group
  • Senior Legal Counsel, Equinix
  • Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase
  • Partner, Nichols Kaster
  • Assistant District Attorney, Bronx County
  • Assistant Attorney General, Maryland Office of the Attorney General


Business

  • Marketing Operations Manager, Leverage Marketing
  • Product Consultant, Allstate Insurance
  • Digital Experience Strategist, Steelcase
  • Vice President of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
  • Director of Economic Development, DTE Energy
  • Strategy Manager, Accenture

Attend Events

Career Community- Human & Public Service

GVSU Winter 2025 Career and Internship Fair

February 20, 2025 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Winter Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni...

Employer Showcase: Healthwest - Muskegon County Community Mental Health

February 26, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from Healthwest! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet potential...

Employer Showcase: City of Grand Rapids

March 12, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from City of Grand Rapids! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet...

Criminal Justice Internship Information Session

March 12, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you a CJ major or minor interested in an internship? Join us for a special informational meeting and FREE lunch! • Learn the benefits of interning and details about the credits and course! •...

Employer Showcase: Michigan Education Corps

March 19, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Michigan Education Corps! Students can stop by for a casual conversation with...

View More Career Community- Human & Public Service

Consider joining the Human and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!


Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs

GVSU Political Science alumni have pursued graduate education in a variety of fields, including:

  • Master’s in Public Administration
  • Master’s in Public Policy
  • Law School / Juris Doctorate
  • Master’s in Business Administration
  • Master’s in International Affairs
  • Ph.D. in Political Science


Talk with your faculty mentor about graduate school options! Pre-law students should meet with our faculty pre-law advisor.


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Join a Career Community

Watch Videos of Professionals in the Field

Check out our podcast!

Career Center Resources

Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.  



Page last modified January 2, 2025