Knowledge of public life, of things political in general, is an essential part of the liberal education of every informed citizen. They study politics because of their fascination with the subject matter. For those students, career preparation is secondary or accomplished outside the major. Many students shape majors in Political Science to prepare themselves for particular vocations or supplement major programs in other areas with a minor in Political Science. Others design prelaw programs with faculty guidance, building upon the department's offerings in American government and public law.
Public service is another common career objective.
Political Science majors find employment in local, state, and federal government in all kinds of positions, from police to Peace Corps, and in planning, research, and administrative roles. Teaching civics and government is a significant profession in public and private educational institutions ranging from high school through university-level. The staffs of private organizations, such as corporations and unions, include people trained in politics. Political research is conducted in a growing number of public and private organizations where the need for analysis is especially great. Careers in journalism increasingly demand such specialized training as may be obtained in the study of politics, both domestic and foreign.