4 Surprising Careers You Can Have with a Degree in Government

If you have a degree in government or are considering entering a bachelor’s or master’s program in government or public administration, you might be wondering what you will be able to do with those degrees. It is important to look ahead at what jobs you are interested in and what jobs might be available in the future to be sure you spend your time working on a degree that will help your prospects.

The good news is that the government probably is not going anywhere any time soon, so a related degree could lead to some great opportunities in the future. The thing about a degree in government is that you will gain all kinds of transferable skills that are looked on favorably by employers.

Skills to Develop in a Government Degree Program

Government majors learn about government, of course. They also study political theory, international relationships, political structures and processes and policy. This study is done using critical analysis skills, research, writing and usually, hands-on experience. In fact, many government-related internships exist, including those with:

• Public relations offices
• Congressional offices
• Educational institutions
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Lobbying firms
• Think tanks in general

Government grads come away with the ability to interpret social and political data, uncover themes and trends from multiple sources, and put theory into practice. They get practice with all forms of communication, like public speaking, presenting, writing and debate.

What Can I Do with My Government Degree?

All of these skills can lead government graduates to jobs in politics and to continue on to grad school programs in topics like law or public administration. Degrees in government can lead to other jobs as well, including:

Journalist

Newspapers, magazines and online sites are looking for people who really understand politics and can address issues from a bipartisan point of view. Government majors have done plenty of writing and debate while getting their degrees and can make great political journalists.

Urban Planner

Urban planners are focused on creating and growing communities. They develop land use plans and programs that support population growth and help revitalize existing facilities. Urban planning takes strategic thinking, working with government officials and creating and presenting long-term plans, which are all skills honed in on during a government education.

High School Teacher

Schools are looking for highly-qualified teachers with degrees and training in their specialized fields. As a social studies or government high school teacher, you will be working with students to do similar types of coursework you studied, but with more scaffolding and support. Teaching government helps you prepare students to become citizens who participate actively in government and change the world for the better.

Banking Analyst

Many people who study government are also interested in economics. If you are one of those people, you might be headed toward a career in finance. Government majors who become financial analysts usually specialize in a specific investment field. They give people and businesses advice about where to invest money. This is a great fit for someone who has studied how government and politics affect the market.

If you are someone who enjoys in-depth research, critical thinking and debate, a degree in government might be a great fit for you. One way to find out whether this is a field that you would like to go into is to take a few classes through the Grand Canyon University College of Humanities and Social Sciences. There are two Bachelor of Arts in Government degrees, each with a different emphasis.

To learn more about how Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences provides students with the best Government education, visit our website or click the Request More Information Button on this page.

More About Amanda:

Amanda Ronan is a writer and editor focused on education. She was a classroom teacher for nearly a decade. Now she spends her time writing for students, teachers, and parents. Amanda also writes curriculum for entrepreneurial learning and financial literacy programs. Amanda lives in Austin where she enjoys splashing in creeks with her husband and two dogs, swaying in a hammock on the porch, and sampling all the breakfast tacos the city has to offer.

About College of Humanities and Social Sciences

As the title of our blog suggests, these posts by College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) faculty and special guests will engage, inform and challenge you in a myriad of ways. The posts reflect the diversity of our programs of study: degrees that are traditional (history), current (justice studies and communications), academic (English literature) and career-oriented (psychology, counseling, criminal justice and government). Here, there is something for everyone.