Nerina Cevra '01
Human Rights Lawyer
Political Science Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore Political Science academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Political Science! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Political Science Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Advocacy
Sample Political Science Internship Sites (cont.)
Government & Policy
- Michigan House of Representatives
- Kent County Elections Office
- Michigan Senate
- Ottawa County Clerk’s Office
- United States Senate
Law
- Kent County Legal Assistance Center
- Muskegon Public Defender’s Office
- Kent County Probate Court
- CBH Attorneys and Counselors
- Brink Law Firm
- Stenger & Stenger PC
Non-Profit
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
- GIS Certificate
- Sustainable City and Regional Planning Certificate
- Sustainable Food Systems Certificate
- TalentLink Technical Skills Certificates
- Cook Leadership Academy, Hauenstein Center
- Statistics (PLS BS option)
- Language (PLS BA option)
- Constitutional Law
- Health Policy
- Public Administration
- Writing
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Civic Engagement Center
Political Science Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Learn about the fields of International Relations and Political Science abroad by embarking on your own real life experience abroad. Studying abroad provides you with unique opportunities to build intercultural communication and problem-solving skills essential to success in these fields. Step out into the world and earn academic credit by studying abroad.
Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
Political science students engage in research in all upper-level elective courses, and some also engage in research projects outside of class with faculty members. Talk to a current Political Science professor about research opportunities!
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
Political Science Career Spotlights
Political Science (Department Spotlights)
Alan Dunklow '07
Assistant Attorney General for Maryland
Lindsay (Schachtner) Ryan '10
Lindsay Ryan is chief of staff to U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, who represents Michigan's 4th District.
Selma Tucker '09 '12
Selma Tucker graduated with his BS in Public Administration and Political Science in 2004. He continued his education with GVSU and graduated in 2009 with his Master in Public Administration and Public Management.
Kara Cook '15
Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Governor (Gov. Whitmer)
Where Alumni Have Landed
Non-Profit
- Diversity Specialist, Human Resources, Meijer Gardens
- CEO, Community Action House, Holland, Michigan
- Database Coordinator, Grand Rapids Community College
- Community Economic Development Volunteer, Peace Corps
- Teacher, Teach For America
- Legal Assistant, Legal Aid of Western Michigan
- International Admissions Counselor, University of Detroit Mercy
- Transitional Foster Care/Refugee Resettlement Assistant – Bethany Christian Services
Advocacy
- Lobbyist, Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, Washington, DC
- Campaign Managers, various local, state, and federal campaigns
- Advocacy Manager, HealthHIV
- Associate, Democratic Partners
- Outreach Vice Chair, Michigan Republican Party
Government and Policy
- Financial Specialist, Budget Office, State of Michigan
- District Director, Office of Rep. Bill Huizenga
- Communications Manager, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
- Senior Associate Staff Secretary, The White House
- Senior Legal Counsel, US House of Representatives member
- Chief of Staff, Rep. John Moolenaar
- City Planner, Norton Shores, Michigan
- Elections Director, Kent County, Michigan
- City Manager, Spring Lake, Michigan
- Chief Climate and Energy Strategist, State of Michigan
- Director of Development Services, City of Muskegon, Michigan
Law
- Attorney, Bruman Group
- Senior Legal Counsel, Equinix
- Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase
- Partner, Nichols Kaster
- Assistant District Attorney, Bronx County
- Assistant Attorney General, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
Business
- Marketing Operations Manager, Leverage Marketing
- Product Consultant, Allstate Insurance
- Digital Experience Strategist, Steelcase
- Vice President of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
- Director of Economic Development, DTE Energy
- Strategy Manager, Accenture
Attend Events
Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
Technology on Wheels (Tech Week Grand Rapids)
September 15, 2026 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Discover careers through hands-on technology and vehicles. A unique outdoor career exploration experience during Tech Week that brings technology and careers to life on campus. Modeled after a "Touch...
Meet Corewell Health: Campus Takeover
September 29, 2026 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Meet Corewell Health and Explore What’s Next! Ready to turn your education into a career? Connect with Corewell Health representatives as they take over campus for an interactive employer...
CareerLab: Employer Office Hours with Corewell Health
September 29, 2026 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Stop by the Valley Campus Career Center (200 STU) between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to meet with representatives from Corewell Health. Get feedback on your resume or cover letter, practice...
JCPenney Suit Up - Fall 2026
October 2, 2026 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Come to JCPenney at the Rivertown Mall in Grandville to save up to 50% off suits and other work apparel. This discount is available exclusively to Grand Valley students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends...
Prepare for the Career Fair (City)
October 5, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Are you preparing for the upcoming Fall GVSU Career and Internship Fair, but not quite sure where to start? The Career Center will be hosting a drop-in event to help you refine your resume, formulate...
View More Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
Consider joining the Education, Nonprofit, and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
GVSU Political Science alumni have pursued graduate education in a variety of fields, including:
- Master’s in Public Administration
- Master’s in Public Policy
- Law School / Juris Doctorate
- Master’s in Business Administration
- Master’s in International Affairs
- Ph.D. in Political Science
Talk with your faculty mentor about graduate school options! Pre-law students should meet with our faculty pre-law advisor.
Discover More
Join a Career Community
Watch Videos of Professionals in the Field
Check out our podcast!
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Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.