What I Did with My College Degree in Political Science

My college degree is in Political Science - in most people's view, a one-way ticket to three more years in law school. Or possibly, public service. Say, a Master's in Public Administration. At any rate, a political science degree probably involves additional schooling. But that wasn't my motivation when I began pursuing it.

Why I Chose Political Science

I remember as if it were yesterday, telling my high school history teacher that I was going to get a political science degree - just like she did. "Oh dear," she replied, "I certainly hope not!" I was taken aback by her response, but undeterred.

At the time that I selected political science, the only thing I knew for sure was that I did not want to go into business. I was the first child in my family to go to a four-year college. My family was full of very successful builders, electricians, and plumbers. The only person I knew who worked in a business capacity was my mother - who worked as a secretary.

I knew I didn't want to be a secretary.

Thank goodness, times have changed, but I am just old enough to remember when most women were pretty much limited to being secretaries or teachers or nurses. Growing up in a blue collar family, I didn't have immediate access to other women who held more managerial type positions. So, I suppose I planned to be a teacher - while secretly hoping to become something else.

Political Science and Liberal Arts

If you are unsure of what you wish to do, you can start college as "undeclared" or pick a plan and then modify it along the way. I would probably vote for picking a plan and then modifying it. While I did not end up using my political science degree to teach school, run for public office, or even work directly in government, I don't regret getting this degree - or especially, getting a liberal arts degree.

While choosing electives for my political science/liberal arts degree, I discovered many things. I took some electives in journalism and enjoyed it - but it wasn't quite the right fit. On the other hand, I tried advertising and found that I really enjoyed it. I also took some business courses, economics and marketing, and really enjoyed marketing. When I discovered marketing, my course was set. Had I not had the opportunity through pursuing a liberal arts degree to pick and choose electives in other areas, I would never have discovered my interest in advertising and marketing. If I hadn't stepped through the doors of the business school, I wouldn't have discovered that there were indeed more opportunities available to women besides the title of secretary.

Pursuing political science and liberal arts gave me an opportunity to explore, get out of my comfort zone, and expand my horizons.

Graduate School and Career

Choosing, not law school, but graduate business school was the perfect choice for me. The combination of liberal arts and a graduate degree in business gave me a breadth of knowledge that many students didn't possess upon graduation. I had plenty of experience with term papers from my years as a liberal arts major so writing came easily for me. I also had given plenty of presentations in liberal arts classes so I could quickly organize talking points for an impromptu business talk.

This educational experience opened the door for me to work for many years as a manager for a large government contractor. Working for a private company that did work for the government complemented all of my educational background. I was able to travel extensively, meet many different people and visit areas of the country that I wouldn't have visited, otherwise. It changed my life.

My advice to high school graduates getting ready to attend college is to not be afraid to set a course and to not be shocked if the initial course evolves into something that you never considered. Be flexible and explore. You'll find yourself better for it.

Sources:

Personal experience.