| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Teach political science. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Advise political science students. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Identify issues for research and analysis. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Serve on committees. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Forecast political, economic, and social trends. |
Doctorate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Doctorate Degree, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Doctorate Degree, and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles welcome new doctorate holders moving from academic study into research, clinical, or professional practice. For recent graduates seeking their first position that matches years of advanced training. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new doctoral graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Doctorate Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Doctorate Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Ph.D. Jobs
What entry level jobs can you get with a Doctorate Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Doctorate Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Doctorate Degree. - 27 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Doctorate Degree) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Political Scientists.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Political Scientists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Political Scientists
Description: Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Political Scientists":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
7,000U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
7,600
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
600 (8.6%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
700
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Advise others on educational matters. | |
| Advise others on matters of public policy. | |
| Advise students on academic or career matters. | |
| Conduct research on social issues. | |
| Develop theories or models of physical phenomena. | |
| Evaluate civic projects or public policies. | |
| Forecast economic, political, or social trends. | |
| Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines. | |
| Interpret research or operational data. | |
| Plan social sciences research. | |
| Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters. | |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | |
| Present information to the public. | |
| Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge. | |
| Serve on institutional or departmental committees. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: History and Archeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Advise others on educational or vocational matters. |
| Activity: Advise others on legal or regulatory matters. |
| Activity: Analyze data to improve operations. |
| Activity: Analyze market or industry conditions. |
| Activity: Develop research plans or methodologies. |
| Activity: Develop scientific or mathematical theories or models. |
| Activity: Evaluate programs, practices, or processes. |
| Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise. |
| Activity: Prepare legal or regulatory documents. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Provide information or assistance to the public. |
| Activity: Research historical or social issues. |
| Activity: Serve on organizational committees. |
| Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | |||||||||
| IBM SPSS Statistics SAS | |||||||||
| Business intelligence and data analysis software: | |||||||||
| Tableau | |||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Access | |||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||
| Adobe Acrobat Microsoft SharePoint | |||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | |||||||||
| SAP software | |||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||
| Python R | |||||||||
| Process mapping and design software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Visio | |||||||||
| Web platform development software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP | |||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below): | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Data base management system software: | |||||||||
| Bare Bones Software BBEdit IDM Computer Solutions UltraEdit | |||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below): | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Publisher | |||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||
| Email software | |||||||||
| Information retrieval or search software (scroll table below): | |||||||||
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Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 88.5 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.7 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 28.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 24.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 24.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 12.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 12.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC)
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Council of State Governments (CSG)
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Federation of American Scientists (FAS)
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International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC)
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National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
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National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
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National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW)
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National Governors Association (NGA)
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National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC)
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Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Political Scientists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Political Scientists
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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