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Is PoliSci a good major? Options
Kafia101
#1 Posted : Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:43:16 PM
Rank: Frosh




Joined: 4/24/2012
Posts: 4
I was considering going into Political Science but everyone says liberal arts or social sciences are a waste of a time, because you won`t get a job. Any intake will be helpful.
SmartyPup
#2 Posted : Tuesday, April 24, 2012 9:37:08 PM
Rank: Frosh




Joined: 11/6/2011
Posts: 47
I am not really an expert on this, so I have a few ideas for you. 1) Speak to your guidance councellor (if you haven't already), see if they have any advice, or maybe can point you in a direction where you can still do something similar, but are more likely to get a job later. 2)Do some research! It can't hurt to look at potential jobs you can get with a degree in PoliSci. It also can't hurt to look at the employment opportunities you may have once you get your degree and see what is going on in the field right now/what is projected for in coming years. 3) If you start University/College/Whatever, you still have a chance to change your mind. Maybe you go into first-year and decide PoliSci really isn't for you, and switch your major.
I personally don't think it would be a waste of time, because if everyone thinks they won't get a job, then there will be no people to fill these positions when they become available, and who will be laughing then.
I will post a link here for the Carleton University PoliSci brochure. It says that there are different jobs you can get with this degree (now obviously they aren't going to say: Get this degree, but we can't get you a job with it!- But you see what I mean.) http://admissions.carlet...s/Political_Science.pdf
Check out some of the other school's stuff, too, this was just the only thing I could find on short notice :)
Good luck, I hope this helped, and follow your own instincts. Regardless of what happens, do what you want to do, not what someone else tells you to do.
Carleton University- Integrated Science- Forensics -Class of 2016


Follow your dreams, make your fate, and go for it. If one door closes, another one will open.
Kareemy
#3 Posted : Wednesday, April 25, 2012 11:21:02 PM
Rank: Senior Student




Joined: 6/16/2011
Posts: 59
Now everyone who were to give you their opinion on this matter has their own bias, and having applied to only Poli-Sci programs throughout Canada, of course I am biased, but here are my two cents, and I believe they're pretty fair.

It is really common that people will jokingly, but with a tad of seriousness, equate a Bachelor of Arts degree with a high school degree and say that it won't get you a job.

This is true.

Because YOU will get you a job. Unlike Engineering or BioMed, where people don't find too much trouble in locating entry-level jobs right out of their undergrad, with the Arts, it's a bit different. It's silly to say that you won't find a job, because a Poli-Sci degree basically enables you to have critical-thinking skills and a knack for creative thinking. If you want a job, YOU will have to go find that co-op placement or internship that will help you get your foot in the door of opportunity when it comes to full-time work, YOU will have to get involved in your school community in ways that you think potential employers will see as being valuable to your work with them, having that experience.

People think you can go to university and suddenly, with a degree, the world is begging for you to work with them, but you have to take the initiative in seeking them out and working hard. Many people pursue a Masters degree, because it is a higher level of education that could promise a better job in the future, but not necessarily more successful than the eager poli-sci undergrad who found the perfect internship and convened with their professors frequently, networked with the right professionals, to establish himself in the work force.

Sorry for the novel, but in all honesty, any shorter a response wouldn't have done your worry justice - I had a similar one, and I simply did research, qualitative and quantitative, and have come to this conclusion.

Best of luck!
McGill University - Class of 2016

BA | Major: Political Science - Minor: French Language Studies
heesoup
#4 Posted : Friday, May 04, 2012 8:54:38 AM
Rank: Student Body Vice-President




Joined: 12/23/2010
Posts: 966
I am going to probably do Poli Sci! I really loved the first-year course at Western! :)
The University of Western Ontario '15
Political Science
Melodydrama
#5 Posted : Friday, May 04, 2012 6:35:54 PM
Rank: Frosh




Joined: 12/5/2010
Posts: 38
Again, I'm biased because I'm doing public policy next year, but I think you have to look at the reasons that you want a political science degree. If you're choosing political science because you don't know what you want to do (Which I feel too many people do) then it's probably the wrong field for you. Likewise, if you've never shown any interest in things related to political science (history, philosophy, debate, politics, women's studies, sociology, human rights, economics etc..) it may not be a field that you'll be passionate about.
I know that I've been interested in a lot of these topics for most of my life, so it's not like I'm stepping into completely uncharted territory. As someone above me said, it's not going to be a field where you can just take courses aimlessly and apply to a dozen, readily available job postings after graduating. If you think that you have the passion, that you'll be dedicated enough to work harder for the position that you want than the thousands of students that enter political science for the wrong reasons, then I think it's a worthwhile degree. If you're not sure and could just as easily choose another degree then maybe it's not for you.
Carleton University 2016 - Public Affairs and Policy Management


The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose - Morrie Schwartz
ARMY101
#6 Posted : Sunday, May 06, 2012 9:53:55 AM
Rank: Student Body President




Joined: 12/20/2010
Posts: 1,572
I took poli sci and now I work for the government and on Parliament Hill. It's absolutely useful if you'd like to do anything with the government or a political party, or even some sort of government relations job.
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