Politics/government
World affairs and events
Security and stability
Science policy (specifically space science)
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My greatest strengths/skills:
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Awareness
Observation
Understanding of global concepts
Writing/explaining
Being extremely responsible and focused
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What I want to do/where I want to work:
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Global affairs, science policy, or security and intelligence
Government or government-related agencies (CIA, NSA, United Nations, etc.)
Private-sector organizations that deal with these topics
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Majors I must choose from:
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Global and International Studies (B.A. or B.S.)
Political Science (B.A. or B.S.)
International Politics (must choose a concentration below:)
-International Political Economy
-International Relations
-National Security
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Basically I want to know which, out of these few majors listed above, would be the smartest and most useful for what I want to do. Note that I would continue onto graduate school IF necessary…this is something I really haven’t thought a lot about yet. But I do not have much money (and will already owe over $50,000 in federal loans after a Bachelor’s, so I would probably only continue onto graduate school if I received significant financial assistance. Otherwise, I would not be able to afford it. Not because I am not financially responsible (I AM), but because I simply don’t have the money. I am a first-generation college student and am pretty much totally on my own.
I think the pros of Political Science are that it provides a more general and well rounded curriculum that can leave open more job opportunities, but the con is that it is not very focused on a specific field.
I’m kind of leaning towards the International Politics - National Security major, which I think could help me specialize in this specific field and make it easier to highlight myself for a job in a government agency.
I recommend International Relations or National Security. The major Political Science focus more on policy issues and would’nt suit you for a government agency job. Either way good luck on your choice.
@bodangles Not anymore…currently local branch campus, but I will have to finish my bachelor’s at main campus, University Park. Decided that this is the best way to go…
I’m not really sure where this idea comes from, but…it’s not really true.
International studies/affairs/relations and international politics are both simply subsets of political science (with other social sciences mixed in, depending on the school). You’re focusing on a specific area of political science, which is the study of systems of government and the analysis of political behavior, thought, and activities. If you look at the major curriculum for political science, you learn about political theory, systems of government, comparative politics, American politics, international relations, economic theory and some other stuff.
Here’s what Wake Forest has to say about their political science major:
Think instead of global and international studies and international politics as two subfields, or specializations, within the wider field of political science. In fact, at Penn State all of those majors are IN the political science department.
(Also, this is besides the point - but even if it the original statement were true, why would a major that focuses on policy not be good preparation for a job in the federal government, MUCH of which has to do with setting policy?)
So with that said, I don’t think it really matters which one you choose. You should pretty interested in the national security type stuff, so picking the international politics major with the national security concentration may appeal to you the most.
If you are interested in science policy, consider minoring in a science field. Particularly given your interests in security and intelligence, computer science or mathematics are good minors.