What Do Political Scientists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Political Scientists

Political Scientists 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.

Salary
$124100
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Political Scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, 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. They also disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.

Other tasks include:

  • Teach political science.
  • Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
  • Identify issues for research and analysis.
  • Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
  • Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

We asked Political Scientists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

69%

How meaningful is this job

65%


69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Political Scientists maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions. They teach political science.

A typical day for a Political Scientist will also include:

  • Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
  • Identify issues for research and analysis.
  • Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
  • Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

We asked some Political Scientists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 50% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 9% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 50% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 23% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 5% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 9% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Political Scientists also teach political science. They may also identify issues for research and analysis.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Political Scientists Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations. They might also Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.

In addition, they Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.

To some Political Scientists, it is also their responsibility to Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Political Scientist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Political Scientists work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
70%


Once a week
17%


Do Political Scientists work outdoors?

Never
100%


Once a year
0%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Thinkers and The Artists

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Political Scientists

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Related to Political Scientists Job Description

Political Scientists job description, what do Political Scientists do, typical day for Political Scientists, what is it like to work as a Political Scientist, how many hours do Political Scientists work, day to day work of a Political Scientist

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm
http://www.apsanet.org/
http://www.theaapc.org/
http://www.naspaa.org/


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