After the Degree: Politics Degree
Some degrees end with a clearly defined career path, while others leave options open for graduates to utilise the skills they've developed in a variety of different ways - as is the case for those who study Politics.
While some Politics graduates go on to pursue careers directly related to the field, a much larger number find work in more unexpected areas. To help understand what graduates face when they enter the job search with a degree in Politics, we spoke to two graduates about their experience.
Toby Brown
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Politics BA
- Current position: Management Consultant (Telecoms) - Amott Group
After graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2012, Toby knew he wanted a job which offered variety and the chance meet new people as part of his day-to-day life. For that reason, a career in Consultancy was always at the forefront of his mind.
"What attracted me to Consultancy was not just the fantastic career prospects in the industry, but also interesting work and varied projects. I don't think I could do a role which was the same day in, day out. Going into Consultancy also allows me to work with a variety of people."
Toby works in telecoms with the Amott Group, which involves working on strategy and go-to-market for telecommunications. While going into telecoms after a degree in Politics may seem unusual, Toby says it was more about the role than the industry.
"It wasn't telecoms as such that attracted me, but the area of Consultancy was something I was definitely keen on. The industry itself wasn't a preference, but seemed interesting when it came up."
Toby says the skills he picked up from his time at university have proven very useful - and could have been applied anywhere.
"From my degree, I was able to put down my ideas succinctly and talk about what I wanted. I am also able to look at data and pull out the most relevant pieces of information, then present it in a way that puts forward my argument without coming across as aggressive or rude."
"In general, doing a degree gives you a background in large projects and working to deadlines, which is very important in my job."
Most popular sectors for Politics graduates
"Working late is also sometimes necessary. As a student you end up working late for most deadlines because you're not as strict with yourself - this is something I've learnt to be on top of more often."
Toby says his skills work on a practical level, and that his seminars at university helped him learn a pragmatic approach to communication which he puts to use on a regular basis.
"You can't turn to a company and tell them what they are doing is bad," he says. "Rather, you have to tell them what they do could be done better. This is much the same as you wouldn't turn to someone in a seminar and tell them their political views are bad. It is more 'Have you considered this?'"
It is not just over the meeting table that Toby has found his studies useful in the working world. He understands the importance of contextual history and how it applies, which he believes gives Politics students an advantage over others.
"In a wider context, an interest in politics is very important because you need to know what is going on in the country. It has helped because Politics students and graduates read the news more and delve deeper into things."
"This helps when you are sat in a meeting and someone asks you 'Why has growth increased fifty per cent over the last five years?', and you can say because five years ago the world was in financial turmoil. It's knowing those things and knowing what affects what."
Where the strengths are there for Politics graduates to build on, Toby warns that sailing into Consultancy straight out of a Politics degree is not without its challenges, and he says preparation is key.
"With Politics, if you go into a seminar looking to discuss something you don't know much about, for example new healthcare reforms, you are going to look stupid when you stand up and talk about it. But if you do know your stuff you can have a good argument - and it is the same in Consultancy. Meeting a client to discuss something you don't know much about, and this is usually the case, it is important to use what you do know and prepare for it."
One thing that Toby thinks really makes Politics graduates stand out from the crowd is the wider understanding they can apply to the work they undertake.
"The main thing you get out of a Politics degree is an interest in the world. Other skills include being able to talk to people, argue your point and so much more. Some of my course mates have gone into Accountancy, some into the charity sector and others into Property."
Megan Wanless
- Nottingham Trent University
- Politics BA
- Current position: Graduate job seeker
While Politics opens many doors, Megan Wanless knows she wants work committed to helping others. Graduating from Nottingham Trent University with a BA in Politics this year, Megan is currently working for Bernardo's Children's Charity in an attempt to gain more experience for her future career plans.
"I am hoping to enter into a career based in the caring profession, ideally with children and young adults. Hopefully in a role more associated with social work than a carer."
"Currently my heart is set on joining the graduate training scheme for the National Probation Service when it reopens in March. Alternatively, I'd like to work for a housing charity or perhaps local government housing committees that work with ex-offenders to help them be rehoused once leaving incarceration."
Megan's Politics degree should directly aid her in this endeavour. She explains that the communication skills she learned at university will become useful if she is successful in applying to the National Probation Service Graduate Scheme.
"Being able to argue both sides certainly helps, particularly when I may be working with dangerous people. Often they will have committed horrendous crimes but you want them to trust you and to form a positive relationship with you, and being close-minded would prevent this from working."
The altruistic approach was never her first intention, and Megan did not study Politics to improve her chances in the social sector, but because it was a real passion.
"I chose to study politics simply because I had no idea what career I wanted, and I felt it was a topic that was extremely interesting, but also broad enough that it can be relevant and moulded into any career path if I put my mind to it."
London Calling!
Politics graduates want to work in London more than the average graduate - 83% choose London as the place they want to start their career, as opposed to 79% of other graduates.
"The most valuable asset my degree has given me is that I now feel ready for a serious work place. Independent study, particularly in Politics, has helped me see the world differently, and has shaped my own political views further."
Megan knows many of the soft skills that she gained from her time at university will help her in the working world.
"I've certainly had to perfect time-keeping due to deadlines, as well as attention to detail and accuracy in general. All of which are essentially transferable skills for the workplace."
Like many graduates currently in the job market, Megan feels that it is not a lack of skills that may keep her from fulfilling her dreams, but rather a lack of opportunities to prove herself.
"The main problem I'm finding with finding a job is not really to do with the fact I have a Politics degree. It's largely to do with a lot of companies' requirement to have office experience - yet no one will give me office experience without previous experience!"
Despite this setback, Megan thinks her degree is a fantastic stepping stone to a wide range of opportunities, and has put her in a good position to bring something new to a caring profession.
"I understand better now how policy is formed, and therefore understand how cuts to services can really drain resources. These services don't only protect the public from harm, but also protect the individual from reoffending, which is why policy is so essential in a caring profession."
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