Not Sure What To Do With My Degree

[Dolphin]

I am finishing my summer job this Thursday as my final semester of college starts next week. I am graduating one semester early so I finish November 24th. I will have a Bachelors in Political Science with minors in Sociology and Classics. My GPA is a 3.51. I’m not sure what I want to do with my degree and could use some help.

I’ve always been interested in teaching and for awhile I wanted to be a professor but I don’t want to do more years of school right now. But I love researching, writing and presenting topics as well as teaching others and helping others improve their writing through tutoring.

Currently I have done two different internship, one as a Data Analyst and one as a Political Analyst. Both were interesting but both had multiple draw backs from terrible shift lengths and hours to conducting research inaccurately but when I asked about it they knew this and were going for quantity over quality.

I don’t really want to do more years of school right now and I have an uncle who is a criminal defense lawyer which I thought about for a time but I don’t have any interest in it anymore. I’ve also considered a Catholic school teacher since they don’t usually need a state certificate or masters but most of the ones I’m seeing say you have to be working towards one.

I also love the idea of working remotely at home as one of my internships was entirely remote. If anyone has any advice I could really use it, I feel like I’m so close to graduating and picked a degree that most people become a lawyer with but I’m not interested in that. I’m interested in political and policy analysis as well as somewhat to becoming a police officer or forensic scientist. But thinking about doing more years in school is a big deterrent.

 

[Justin_Mary]

If I could do it all over again, I’d go to my diocese office & see if there was anything I could do there.

 

[Cruciferi]

My friend graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science. It’s a long road of getting yourself established and finding your niche. It’s definitely not easy.

Here’s a selection from his resume:

• Warehouse Manager for the DOD
• Elections Clerk
• US House of Representatives Staff Assistant
• Regional Liaison for State Auditor
• Strategic Director for a major conservative political advocacy group

He went the grassroots organizing route. I worked a few campaigns with him and it’s definitely not for everyone.

Consider applying at the State and Federal level. Consider the FBI or even the Military.

 

[MNathaniel]

You could maybe look into data/political analysis with a different branch or organization than the one you previously worked with?

It’s possible that the corruption you experienced at your last location(s), re: institutional tolerance of inaccurate and low-quality research, may be lesser or absent in a different branch/organization. And there might be different expectations of hours/environment depending on the branch/org you work with.

Basically if you liked the research and essential role of the internships you’ve already done (but had serious issues with circumstantial stuff like the hours/organizational standards), maybe don’t give up on that yet. You may be able to find a similar role but in better circumstances.

 

[on_the_hill]

I graduated with a degree In policy analysis in 1989. After a job search that ended with a generic office job, I went and got my masters a couple years later. I’ve been lucky enough to work in the field since then.

So I know where you are, my friend.

This last semester of college is not about academics. It’s all about finding a job.

My top suggestion is to look for relationships and network opportunities. Finding a job Is less about qualifications than it is about who you know. Be a salesman.

Join professional associations. They often have student discounts and can help you make connections.

Look for internships. There are even post-grad internships.

 

[1ke]

But I love researching, writing and presenting topics as well as teaching others and helping others improve their writing through tutoring.

Technical writing, proposal writing, grant writing, copywriting.