<p>My D is a Poli Sci major. I think she is quite well positioned for the job market. She wants to work in DC after graduation. She landed an internship at the State Department for next semester, and is already working on applications for a summer internship somewhere in DC for next summer (she has saved her money for several years so she can self-fund that experience and go for a summer without working). She is carefully targeting departments or organizations where she would have an interest in working long term. She has excellent grades, and has done an unusual (and independent) study abroad experience as well.</p>
<p>Qualities she has: Finds politics fascinating (duh!), likes people a lot (and generally people like her), organized, good public speaker, interested in current events, good planner, good writer.</p>
<p>I think she will end up employed in her field of interest, BUT she is an excellent student and is making every effort to make herself marketable through her studies and work experiences. She has cultivated excellent references as well. There are plenty of Poli Sci students who do not work as hard at making themselves marketable (cuz… many are headed for law school! D claims she is not…).</p>
<p>By the way, she would find any of the other 3 majors you listed interesting as well And she has a dual Public Policy major. That is something to encourage your kid to do if she is capable, double major. I think the ability straddle a divide between two areas often brings an edge in the job market.</p>
<p>My History major son in law is now a lawyer. My daughter was a Religious Studies major and is currently at grad school for her Master of Divinity degree. She’s still contemplating academia vs ministry (drawn to both) and has an intense desire to learn about ALL religions. In this day and age…I think that’s a wise thing. </p>
<p>The people we’ve met throughout the Religious Studies major are pretty wonderful! (Students and Professors!)</p>
<p>D was a religion major who loved the major. She took some really interesting courses and did a study abroad program in her major. Now going to law school Her uncle was a religion major who went on to get a PhD.</p>
<p>Nothing. I don’t have preconceived notions about anyone based on what they’ve majored in. From my experience, based on almost everyone I’ve met since I started college in the 1970s, there is little correlation between what they majored in, what they are doing now, and what type of person they are. And I think any type of stereotyping is wrong.</p>
<p>I know math majors who are lawyers. Physics majors who now write computer code. Engineers who work at NGOs doing government consulting. I know economics and reli stu majors who are certified geeks (i.e, can recite every Star Wars line by heart). Environmental studies majors who are accountants. Film studies majors with MBAs now working in commercial real estate development. Doctors who majored in practically anything (English, poli sci, history, etc.) I could go on and on and on.</p>
<p>From the perspective of career path, it is generally more difficult to find a job or a high pay job with a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts major than with a degree in engineering or business. As an engineer, you may not need an advanced degree if you intend to stay in the technical track, but most others would most likely need an advanced degree for further advancement. So, to me it doesn’t matter much which one of these four she is choosing, but she’d better choose one she’s really interested in so she can get good grades and make the most out of her college years, which would pave the way of getting a good advanced degree in the future. As for long term career choice, doctor or engineer may be unlikely, but other than that almost anything else is open to her.</p>
<p>By the way, if she is interested in middle east related matters, be sure to learn the language Arabic. It’ll increase her maketability in the job market.</p>
That she & my son probably have a lot in common. He double majored in poli sci and global studies. My son is a fanTASTIC person, so my bias is to think your daughter is as well. :)</p>
And she has a dual Public Policy major. That is something to encourage your kid to do if she is capable, double major. I think the ability straddle a divide between two areas often brings an edge in the job market.</p>