Careers by Major - Political Science

This program is offered through the Department of Political Science

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
1a. Sample Occupations
1b. Sample Job Listings
1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
4a. On-Campus
4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs

Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

Private Sector

Budget Analyst
Communications Officer
Financial/Business Consultant
Financial Planner
Human Resources Specialist
Market Analyst
Researcher
Sales Manager
Public Opinion Analyst
Public Relations Specialist
Lawyer

Journalism

Editor
Press Officer
Print Journalist
Publisher
Public Relations Specialist
Television and Radio Journalist

Government

Public Policy Analyst
Financial/Economic Analyst
Social Policy Program Officer
Foreign Service Officer
Immigration and Revenue Officer
Legislative Analyst
Political Aide
Politician
Lobbyist
Diplomat
Customs Officer
Economic Development Officer

1b. Sample Job Listings

Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs.

Legal Assistant, Abrams & Krochak
Policy Advisor, Management Board Secretariat
Research Assistant, Department of Political Science, UTM
Regulatory Affairs and Legal Services, Toronto Hydro Corporation
Client Services Advisor, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
Parliamentary and Information & Research Assistant, Library of Parliament
Foreign Language Intelligence Analyst, Communications Security Establishment
Policy Analyst, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Library Student Assistant, Library, UTM
Indexing assistant, Mediacorp Canada Inc.
Intern, Global Affairs Canada
Policy & Legislation Implementation Assistant, Ministry of Labour
Political, Economic & Consular Intern, U.S. Consulate General Toronto
Communications and Outreach Assistant, Office of Student Transition, UTM
Report Writer, Flow Consulting Group
Resource Centre Coordinator, Ontario Public Interest Research Group

1c. Sample Areas of Employment

Government agencies
International agencies
Law firms
Universities and colleges
Consulting firms
Newspapers/media
Private firms
Banks
Lobbying firms
Research organizations

2. Program-Related Skills

Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

Communication: present ideas and data clearly; mediate and negotiate conflicts; public speaking; and listen critically.
Research and quantitative methods: interpret data; develop research designs and models; understand program and systems analysis; utilize survey research methods; and compare/contrast ideas and information
Analysis: interpret issues and data; understand components of complex problems; offer relevant perspectives; and synthesize themes from complex issues.
Planning and development: make projections; organize people/ equipment/ideas; think logically; conceptualize and implement projects; and make decisions.

3. Explore Careers & Build Networks

Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:

Political Science & Pre-Law Association
UTM Global Brigades
UTM Students' Union

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

4. Get Experience

Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus

On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP)

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience and earn a course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Courses are held during Summer and Fall/Winter terms.

Part Time and Volunteer Positions

Attend the annual Get Experience Fair
Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official documentStudent Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website.

4b. Off-Campus

Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions

Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Login to Career Learning Network (CLN) and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to UofT students
Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
Consider taking an academic internship course through your department
Check out Government of Ontario - Job Programs for Youth
Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs, and Summer Job Search tip sheets

Full Time Positions

Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

5. Useful Resources & Next Steps

Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides, and more.

Appointments

Attend a one-on-one appointment with a career counsellor or an employment strategist to discuss what career options might work for you and determine a job search plan.
Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.

Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources

Updated August 2023