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 job opportunities might be available in the future so you spend your time working on a degree that will help your prospects.

The good news is that the state and local governments probably aren't going anywhere anytime 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 many transferable skills that are looked upon favorably by employers.

Skills to Develop in a Government Degree Program

Government majors learn about government. However, they also study political theory, processes and policy, international relationships and political structures. This study is done using skills in critical analysis, research writing and hands-on experience. In fact, many internships are available in government-related sectors, including:

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

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

What Can I Do With My Government Degree?

All these skills can lead government graduates to jobs in politics and beyond. Many undergrads continue on to grad school to study more specific topics like law or public administration. Majoring in government can lead to other jobs as well, including the following:

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 state and local government 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 acquired in the government degree program.

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 introduce students to 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 jobs 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. To find out if this is a field you are interested in, 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 Info button on this page.