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Careers

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

A degree in Political Science won’t necessarily make you a politician (although several of our graduates have gone in that direction). With a degree in Political Science, you’ll possess a broad range of skills that prepare you for employment in the government, education, journalism, law, business and civil society sectors, both within Canada and abroad.

  • advocacy-government relations
  • foreign service worker
  • immigration officer
  • intelligence agent
  • international aid worker
  • journalist/reporter
  • labour organizer/negotiator
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • legislative/parliamentary assistant
  • market research analyst
  • policy advisor/researcher
  • political aide
  • political strategist
  • public opinion analyst
  • teacher
  • trade negotiator

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • consulting firms
  • corporations
  • educational institutions
  • embassies/consulates
  • government
  • law enforcement agencies
  • lobbying firms
  • market research firms
  • media organizations
  • municipalities
  • non-profit organizations
  • political parties
  • polling organizations
  • public opinion researchers 
  • research firms
  • Statistics Canada
  • think tanks

Online Resources

Check out more resources available in the Career Centre and through Navigator.

Laurier Grads are Successful

Laurier Graduate Survey Results (2021)

Respondents from the Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.

142 Political Science Graduates:

  • Employed: 55.4%
  • Pursuing Further Education: 42.2%
  • Looking for Work: 2.4%

Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation

  • client intake coordinator
  • communications assistant
  • legal assistant
  • policy analyst
  • research analyst
  • talent acquisition specialist

Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation

  • JD: Law.
  • Master’s degree: Applied Politics, International Development and Globalization, Political Science, Public Policy.
  • College program: Digital Media Marketing, Human Resources, Paralegal, Public Administration, Public Relations.

Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation

  • economist
  • lawyer
  • policy officer
  • public affairs consultant
  • strategic policy advisor and analyst
  • sustainable development program officer

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

At Laurier, develop these competencies through both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to help you achieve your goals for the future.

Functional Knowledge

  • Understand the origin, development and operation of various political systems; the inter-relationship of politics, the economy and geography; and the policies and strategies of resource allocation among competing groups.
  • Develop a globally-minded viewpoint and engage with different political perspectives.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the factors that influence and change public opinion.
  • Design a research project and engage in empirical research by using various political science methods.
  • Display an understanding of the policy-making process and major approaches to policy analysis.
  • Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.

Collaboration & Teamwork 

  • Work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others for team success.
  • Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions and completing tasks.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour and an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.

Communication 

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of effective argumentation for political science and policy-making in written and oral formats.
  • Understand the unique requirements of legal research, analysis and writing.
  • Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
  • Critically evaluate the arguments of others and debate effectively.
  • Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 

  • Synthesize and analyze a wide range of informational resources.
  • Learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations, performing both comparative and critical analyses.
  • Set priorities, meet deadlines and manage time, data and resources.
  • Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify and consider all sides of an issue.
  • Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.

Discover Career Opportunities

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • advocacy-government relations
  • compliance analyst
  • compliance officer
  • contract specialist
  • corporate social responsibility manager
  • editor for legal publication
  • foreign service worker
  • immigration officer
  • in-house legal counsel
  • intelligence agent
  • international aid worker
  • labour organizer/negotiator
  • lawyer
  • legal expert
  • legal writer
  • management consultant
  • market research analyst
  • mediator
  • policy advisor/researcher
  • political strategist
  • politician
  • public opinion analyst
  • tax consultant
  • trade negotiator

Sample Industries / Types of Employers

  • consulting firms
  • corporations
  • educational institutions
  • embassies/consulates
  • government
  • insurance companies
  • law enforcement agencies
  • law firms
  • lobbying firms/municipalities
  • market research firms
  • media organizations
  • non-profit organizations
  • political parties
  • public opinion researchers
  • research firms
  • think tanks

Online Resources

Check out more resources available in the Career Centre and through Navigator.

Develop Your Knowledge and Skills

At Laurier, develop these competencies through both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to help you achieve your goals for the future.

Functional Knowledge

  • Gain knowledge in the English and Canadian legal systems, legal theory, criminal law, equity and trusts, land law, law and policy of the European Union, public law, law of contract and law of tort.
  • Understand the origin, development and operation of various political systems; the inter-relationship of politics, the economy and geography; and the policies and strategies of resource allocation among competing groups.
  • Maintain a global viewpoint of leadership principles and social, cultural and political issues.
  • Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.

Collaboration & Teamwork

  • Work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others for team success.
  • Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions and completing tasks.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour and an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.

Communication 

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the unique requirements of legal research, analysis and writing.
  • Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
  • Critically evaluate the arguments of others and debate effectively.
  • Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 

  • Think critically about contemporary issues from the perspectives of justice, equality and rights.
  • Identify and access a wide range of relevant legal information and resources.
  • Learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations, performing both comparative and critical analyses.
  • Set priorities, meet deadlines and manage time, data and resources.
  • Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify and consider multiple sides of an issue.
  • Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.