James Meernik '85
Political Science Professor
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Explore Political Science academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
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.
Unlock career potential in Political Science! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
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.
Advocacy
Sample Political Science Internship Sites (cont.)
Government & Policy
Law
Non-Profit
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
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.
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.
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.
Political Science Professor
Assistant Attorney General for Maryland
Foreign Service Office, U.S. Department of State
Energy and Natural Resources Attorney
Media and Communications Expert
Non-Profit
Advocacy
Government and Policy
Law
Business
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...
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...
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...
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! •...
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...
Consider joining the Human and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
GVSU Political Science alumni have pursued graduate education in a variety of fields, including:
Talk with your faculty mentor about graduate school options! Pre-law students should meet with our faculty pre-law advisor.