Help with future career path for a political science major

Career Opportunities & Internships
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<p>I'm sure this whole post will come off as nonsensical and rambling, but I'm having a crisis. I just finished my first year of college at a state university. My GPA is about a 3.7 and I'm majoring in political science with a minor in history (and maybe philosophy). </p>

<p>I would like to pursue a PhD in Political Science but it doesn't seem viable at all. I'm not asking you to research careers and find me a job, I just want some input as to what my options are and what is viable. Also, tuition is not a factor in any of this. </p>

<p>I am extremely interested in globalization and comparative politics - but I don't think I could gain entrance into a PhD program. I don't feel by the end of 4 years I would have enough knowledge to write a convincing statement of intent or even know what I want to research/focus on. I know careers in academia are limited, but this is the path I see fitting with my interests and personality the most. I am a decent writer and love to research - but I really don't see myself standing out enough to beat out the competition for a job. I was considering going into an MA program (for international relations or something related but not Political Science) and then pursuing a PhD. I'm sorry to sound stupid but I'm the first in my family to go to college so I don't know - do most people enter a PhD program directly after graduating with a BA? I plan to find some internships, I work at the school library and I am active in a few clubs - but it seems impossible to me that I would be chosen as a candidate in a PhD program against someone who has real world work experience.</p>

<p>My interests are primarily immigration/refugee politics and globalization, but I love all the political science classes I have encountered, and I enjoy learning. I just don't know how viable this path is. </p>

<p>Are there any other paths/careers anyone could recommend, so I can research them?</p>

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<p>I don’t see why you couldn’t get into a PHD program if you kept your grades at their current level.</p>

<p>I’d focus on getting some top internships, which with your GPA could definitly happen. </p>

<p>As y ou said, not to many opportunities in academia right now for Poli Sci majors, so think it through. </p>

<p>There will always be jobs in the government and military.</p>

<p>If you are interested in immigration, look into jobs at ICE once you start nearing the end of college.</p>

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<p>have you considered law school?</p>

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<p>Yes, I’ve considered law school, but as far I’ve seen, the job market is saturated with attorneys and there are way more attorneys graduating than there are jobs. </p>

<p>I’m also starting to think about analysis at the CIA - I’m interested in the middle east and willing to learn arabic.</p>

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<p>ehhh, every poli sci major under the sun says they are going to learn arabic and go work for the CIA.</p>

<p>Not likely. Besides, they can just recruit natie speakers or translators from the military - who have real life working knowledge.</p>

<p>“Willing” to learn arabic doesn’t mean you can, besides you need to be 100% fluent. Because, a minor slip up in translation could mean someone could get killed, so they don’t take the chance. You will have to pass multiple fluency exams to qualify, which aren’t easy.</p>

<p>And, by the time (several years) you’ve learned it - they might not need you anymore, afterall we are nearing the 10 year mark in the wars, they have alot of assets already.</p>