Advertising and Public Relations Career Map

Awareness

First Year

• Understand that political science is a social science discipline that examines "who gets what, when, and how" in society.
• Recognize the foundational requirement to complete PSC 130 (Introduction to U.S. Government).
• Learn about the "First Year Experience" (CAS 100) requirement designed to help transition into university life and strategies for academic success.
• Develop an awareness of how law and politics interact and your rights and responsibilities as a citizen.

Middle Years

• Identify specialized subfields by taking courses like Comparative Politics (PSC 250) and International Relations (PSC 270).
• Recognize the importance of the technology competency requirement satisfied by Research Methods (PSC 310).
• Become aware of specialized upper-division topics such as Public Policy, Judicial Process, and Constitutional Law.
• Understand the requirement to complete a minor, which complements the political science major in fields like Economics, History, or Communication.

Last Year

• Recognize the Capstone Seminar (PSC 492) as the final requirement for synthesizing political science theory and practice.
• Stay informed about the "Departmental Honors" track for students with a 3.50 GPA, involving a two-semester thesis project.
• Understand the benefits of pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at South to learn how to make government work better.

Exploration

First Year

• Explore your interests through foundational courses in American and global politics to determine a potential area of focus.
• Utilize Focus2 and other digital resources from Career Development to research career interests and academic pathways.
• Engage with student organizations on campus to begin building a professional network.

Middle Years

• Secure a meaningful internship in city, state, or local government agencies to gain hands-on career experience.
• Participate in Accelerate South to search for co-ops and internship opportunities that match your interests.
• Explore study abroad programs to experience different political systems and cultures firsthand.

Last Year

• Network with exceptional faculty who have both academic training and practical experience in the field.
• Attend career events hosted by the department that prepare graduates for jobs in professional settings.
• Research specific industries such as non-profits, international organizations, and campaign management.

Preparation

First Year

• Build early experience through volunteering (South Serves), job shadowing, or part-time roles.
• Start building your Accelerate South profile by adding campus involvement and class projects.
• Develop key career readiness skills such as communication and teamwork through introductory coursework.

Middle Years

• Develop a polished resume and cover letter tailored for internship applications.
• Practice interview skills using resources like Big Interview.
• Master quantitative and qualitative research methods that are applicable to many job settings.

Last Year

• Finalize your resume and practice answering difficult interview questions using AI features and career consultants.
• Secure "professional attire" for interviews through free resources provided by Career Development.
• Compile a record of your research competency and analytical skills to showcase to potential employers.