As a multidisciplinary field, Political Science is supported by several areas of knowledge, such as Economics, Law, Sociology, Philosophy, International Relations, among others.
Political sciences are extremely important for advancing the study of the mechanisms of power. The work of politicians, lawyers and economists, or people linked to the large financial market, is directly associated with power.
What to expect from basic training in Political Science?
The student who opts for a basic training in Political Science should expect to acquire knowledge about the different political phenomena, including why some people vote and others abstain, which explains the change in political regimes, or how to evaluate a policy public.
Likewise, you should also expect to develop oral and written communication skills, including the construction and foundation of an argument of a political nature, based on knowledge and advanced data analysis techniques.
That is, a solid theoretical formation (eg political theories, compared political systems, political parties, electoral systems and behaviors, state and public administration, etc.), methodological (eg methods and techniques of research, statistics and data analysis), and integrated (eg History of Political Ideas, International and Constitutional Law, Political and International Economics).
Thus, future professionals in this area must be proficient in the use of concepts, tools, and methodologies necessary for the full development of professional practice in different aspects of politics. Among the range of desired skills, the ability to:
- Understand the nature, history and evolution of Political Sciences in societies, taking into account their connection with the global changes resulting from human activity;
- Understand the structures, contexts and instrumental ideas in the area of Political Sciences;
- Develop relevant and substantiated political arguments, exercising critical judgment about their economic, social and ethical implications;
- Identify, collect, evaluate and operationalize relevant information from primary and secondary sources, applying it to the solution of problems of a political nature, using quantitative and qualitative analysis methods.
What are the main professional opportunities in Political Science?
Depending on the academic path, the course and / or institution you decide to attend to obtain your training, you may become more or less specialized in a particular field of Political Science.
Political Candidate
The most obvious professional outlet for a recent political science graduate will be to pursue a career as a political candidate, for example, as a member of a party, deputy of the assembly
They must also be motivated, determined professionals, and confident and persuasive speakers.
Political Advisor
As a rule, a political advisor assists a political candidate, deputy and / or minister in the most diverse matters – from the legal side to issues related to communication with the outside (eg press, organizations, companies, unions).
Given the inability of a politician to respond to all the demand expected of him, political advice is fundamental to the performance of his legislative function. A political advisor needs to have solid knowledge
Diplomat
A diplomatis a government official who performs representation functions. This is an ideal political career for anyone interested in foreign affairs, culture, or international relations.
As a diplomat, political science professionals represent the interests of their nation and their citizens, being able to work at the level of embassies and consultants. Eventually, they can also provide advice and support to ministers who develop foreign policy.
To be successful in this role, the recent graduate will have to be a good communicator and able to relate to people from all societies and cultures. Competition for these types of positions is tight and entry usually involves a series of evaluations. It is not necessary to be fluent in a foreign language to enter this professional field
Political journalist
If you have a strong interest in national and international political issues, and if you want to get involved in the creation and communication of news and detailed analysis of the current political situation, political journalism may be the best option for you.
Being a political journalist presumes to analyze and comment on controversies, campaigns and political debates, offering information on possible results and trends. You can work directly for a media organization (TV, radio, newspaper), and be a reference in the field.
To achieve this success, you must have an investigative mind, be determined, present excellent skills in terms of written and oral communication, being able to produce factually accurate content. To become a political journalist, it is crucial to have relevant experience, for example, networking. Also consider obtaining a postgraduate degree in Communication Sciences or related fields.
Political Analyst
Knowing that political science graduates have studied the process of creating and evaluating public policies, the career of an analyst is a likely hypothesis as a specialist in the field. Policy analysts must have a satisfactory level of critical thinking skills, capable of supporting them in creating reasoned opinions about the nature and impact of public policy proposals.
They are responsible for developing a solid thesis and building a persuasive argument for or against the adoption of a particular political initiative. In addition, analysts use their understanding to enlist the support and funding of individuals, companies and / or organizations that can help advance and develop policy initiatives.
Political Consultant
Similar to analysts, political consultants use the knowledge of the political process, acquired during their training in Political Science, to develop strategies that support candidates to influence their voters and obtain funding for their campaigns.
Political consultants help candidates build their brand and reputation with local, national and / or international audiences. They try to influence candidates’ media coverage by promoting favorable stories and positive opinions about their performance.
Political consultants can also work for public interest groups and help them formulate strategies to promote their causes. This is a position that covers a wide variety of roles, depending on the consultant’s skills and areas of expertise.
International relations
The training acquired in Political Sciences may also be relevant in the area of International Relations. There are several roles that a recent graduate can take on in this area. One is in government agencies, being responsible for planning actions of a political, social, cultural nature, or even trade between companies and governments in different countries.
Another area in which this professional can perform his activity is as an international analyst, being responsible for collecting data and preparing reports on the situation in a given country, supporting the international cooperation strategy of government agencies, companies and / or non-governmental organizations. governmental organizations it represents.
Human rights
Other professional opportunities for recent graduates in Political Science may be in the area of Human Rights. Namely, at the level of central and local government, governmental and non-governmental organizations worldwide, charities, among others.
They can work on the creation and development of social campaigns, helping to raise awareness of human rights issues and abuses, or even at the level of managing projects created to improve conditions for different groups and ethnic minorities. Other works may also include the development of public policies for the protection of human rights, social solidarity actions, among others.
