How to Become a Political Scientist

Political Scientists, who are they and most importantly what do they do? A political scientist is someone who studies, analyzes and interprets political systems and policies. They have a choice as to which field they would like to work in; public affairs, private affairs, research and education.  They can also conduct research in one of the four fields; American Politics, comparative politics, international theory and political theory. To become a political scientist you will need a Master’s degree or PhD in Public administration, political science or a related field. 

            Political scientist should know how to analyze the data they collect. They should be able to evaluate information and draw conclusions from the information they collect from their research. They have to be open minded and ready to explore new ideas. They also have to have good writing skills in order to write reports on their research. 

The salary for a political scientist is as follows;  

Federal Government: $119,300

Scientific Research: $95, 640

Schools, Colleges, and Universities: $47, 810

            When you are going into this field students have to keep in mind that the rate of employment is growing in this field but it’s growing slower than other fields. The competition to get into this field is high.

            Just like everything there will always be obstacles in your way. The first obstacle would be to get into good schools that major in this field. The second would be finding internships or jobs in this field since there is a lot of competition. You will also have to find a way to support yourself financially. 

            If you need help there are always people there to help you. You can always talk to you professor, counselors, and even family members. 

- Sarah Khalid