Politics

Studying politics encourages the development of both specific and transferable skills. You will gain a clear understanding of politics, whether it is domestic, international or a combination of both. Politics courses focus on the theory and application of politics, and integrate economic, historical, philosophical and sociological arguments to the debate.

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Prospects

While few careers demand a first degree in politics, there are many careers where a politics degree is useful, including politics and government, journalism, law, charity work, social and political research and social work.

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates, half of politics graduates entered either employment in the UK or overseas within six months of graduation, while 22% of politics graduates pursued further study after completing their first degree.

Of those who started work immediately, politics graduates pursued a wide range of opportunities, many of which were not closely related to their degree. Common routes for politics graduates included clerical and secretarial occupations (14%), commercial, industrial and public sector managerial positions (16%), business and financial jobs (11%) and retail, catering, waiting and bar work (19%).

Where are the jobs?

Typical employers of politics graduates include: local and national government; further and higher education institutions; charities; retailers; media; accountancy and banking; and law firms.

For more potential roles consider:

• Government and public administration - covers the civil service (central government), local and regional government (the public sector).
• Retail - the UK's largest employer outside the public sector. Eleven percent of all workers (2.9 million people) are employed in the retail sector.
• Charity and development work - deals with all areas of civil society, and can be divided into two groups: charities and non-profit-making organisations (universities and trade unions).

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Public affairs consultant
• Politician's assistant
• Government research officer
• Social researcher
• Civil Service Fast Streamer

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Charity fundraiser
• Education administrator
• Local government administrator
• Event organiser
• Market researcher
• Volunteer work organizer

However, politics graduates can access a wide range of opportunities. For many jobs, the skills, interests and experience you pick up whilst at university are often more important than the particular degree you have studied. Opportunities can also be found in international organisations such as the European Parliament (UK Office).

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contactcopyright@agcas.org.uk