A background in political science can be applied to a variety of fields, because politics and government impact so many elements of our lives.

This makes the answer to the question, What does a political scientist do?, therefore, is multifaceted. Political scientists do not do one specific thing. Their specialized knowledge in one or more of the subfields described above – comparative politics, international relations, political economy, or political philosophy – can be valuable in several roles.

The following are some of the sectors and roles to which they may bring their expertise:

Lobbyist
Lobbyists or activists seek to persuade members of the government (like members of Congress) to enact legislation that would benefit their particular group or sector. The lobbying process involves researching and analyzing legislation or regulatory proposals, attending congressional meetings, and educating government officials and corporate officers on relevant issues. Lobbyists also work to change public opinion through advertising and publicity campaigns or by influencing so-called opinion leaders.

Political Campaign Manager
Getting a political candidate elected is the objective of a political campaign manager. To make this happen involves researching, planning, and implementing the right strategies. In this role, a comparative political scientist might use their knowledge of the policies and methodologies of competing political parties. A political economy specialist could also be hired as a campaign manager, to positively present a candidate’s fiscal policies and position on regulation of particular industries.Career Politician
Many politicians have a political science background. It is easy to see how expertise in one or more the discipline’s subfields could be useful in presenting a political platform and gathering the public and party support required in this role.

Political Consultant
Government officials do not make decisions on their own. They seek advice from experts to shape policies and proposals and to evaluate public perception and reaction. Political scientists with a background in political economy, for example, would be well equipped to advise on the feasibility and political fallout of economic reforms being considered by an incumbent government.

Business International Business Specialist

With their knowledge of national and international policies and global trends, these specialists bring valuable insights and an understanding of consumer behavior and how economies work. A political scientist who has extensively studied international relations can better defend company interests, conduct discussions, and negotiate contracts that are beneficial and profitable.

Market Researcher
Some of the best market researchers have experience in the political science realm. This should not be surprising, considering the components of their job: collecting information on customer opinions about products or services; assessing and coordinating research projects; and communicating with clients to understand business objectives. Without question, practitioners of this work can benefit from familiarity with different political systems, different economic structures, and different philosophies of governance within the international marketplace.

Public Relations Specialist
There is no disputing that a political scientist would bring invaluable experience to the role of PR specialist to a political candidate or government official. This work starts with understanding the dynamics and public perceptions of all the political parties in play, the potential impact of the current economic landscape, and the evolution of voter opinions.

Law

Understanding how international laws shape government policies. Being aware of the common set of rules politicians worldwide should operate by. Recognizing the differences between various legal systems and how they interact on the global stage. Law and political science go hand-in-hand.

Journalism / Media

Political analysts, commentators, and journalists, who cover news and events related to politics, often have a background in political science. Media outlets benefit from their understanding of the political climate, international trends, global events, and international history.

Education

Graduates with a degree in political science can pursue opportunities in the education sector. Those who earn a Ph.D. will be qualified to teach at the university level.

Regardless of the specific kind of work they do, all political scientists will find themselves involved in some combination of the following activities:

Researching political subjects, such as the U.S. political system; relations between the United States and foreign countries; and political ideologies
Collecting and analyzing data from sources such as public opinion surveys and election results
Using qualitative sources, such as historical documents, to develop theories
Use quantitative methods, such as statistical analysis, to test theories
Evaluating the effects of policies and laws on government, businesses, and people
Monitoring current events, policy decisions, and other issues relevant to their work
Forecasting political, economic, and social trends
Presenting research results by writing reports, giving presentations, and publishing articles.