Hello. If there’s two things I love in life, they’re politics and sports. I want to do something with politics/government when I get my degree and eventually become a representative in congress or an advisor in the White House or maybe just do something with policy making. My fear is, what if I don’t get a job in government and major in political science? The most I can do then is wait and hope something comes my way or become a teacher (which I don’t want to do). So I plan on doing a double major – out of my will – with something in medicine because there’s a job immediately after college (one of the easier field such as physical therapist, nurse practitioner, or if I’m gusty pharmacy). Should I double or take my chances with a Poli Sci major? If I take my chance with a Poli Sci degree, what job could I maintain prior to doing something big in gov? Should I major in some type of med program and minor in Poli Sci? Most congressmen/women don’t have a Poli Sci major, more in law and business. Sorry this is so lengthy, just stressful thinking about the future.
You don’t need a poli-sci degree to serve in Congress. What gets you elected is an ability to solve problems, a successful track record of “running things”, and an ability to get “in tune” with a group of people and convince them that you’ll go to bat for them. As you can see, none of these are unique to poli-sci. You could get that from running a small business, rising through the ranks or wherever you end-up working post-college, or various other types of jobs.
Political science will teach you more about the system and how things work. This will be helpful if you want to work in government as support staff or something similar. You won’t even be eligible to run for Congress right out of college, so make sure to have something else in mind for your first career.
With that said, don’t lose your passion for things you want to do. Just know that this early in your life (I’m assuming you’re not even in college yet?) you’ll likely change what you want to be “when you grow up.” Most college students change their major at least once. The great thing about college is the exposure to so many different people, subjects, and ideas. It’s good to have an idea where you want to end-up, but the sooner you realize you have to be flexible and that your plans will most likely change, the sooner you can [hopefully] relax and just do your best in school until you figure things out. Take as many different kinds of classes in college your first year to get a taste of what’s available.