LAKERS TOGETHER: View the university’s COVID-19 response. Also, be sure to complete the online daily self-assessment.
Internships, Jobs & Careers
Internships
Why an internship?
- Learn through practical experience
- Invaluable as a means of professional networking and career advancement
- Make connections between regular classroom work and possible profession
- Earn college credit
- Intern in DC via our affiliation with The Washington Center
Placements
- national, state, and local executive and legislative offices
- government agencies
- political campaigns
- party and interest group organizations,
- think tanks
- judicial agencies
- law firms
- international business
- international non-government organizations (NGOs).
For Employers
If you are interested in sponsoring an internship, please email us at plsdept@gvsu.edu with the following:
- Position Description
- Estimated hours
- Length of Position
- How to apply
- Contact information
Set Up Your Internship
Internship Syllabus
PLS & IR Internship Syllabus
Experience Matters
See examples of GVSU Political Science internships from each student's perspective at the Experience Matters site.
Contacts
Political Science: Dr. Donald Zinman
Phone: (616) 331-8714; Email: zinmand@gvsu.edu
International Relations: Dr. Polly Diven
Phone: (616) 331-3282; Email: divenp@gvsu.edu
Jobs, Careers, Grad School & Law School
Jobs & Careers
The department faculty work closely with Career Services and students on internships and career advising. Students are highly encouraged to pursue an internship. Capstone professors help senior students to prepare for careers and graduate school. For more information, consult our career guide and visit with your faculty advisor.
Career options
- Advocacy
- Business
- Campaigns & elections
- Communication
- Criminal justice
- Education
- Government
- International affairs
- Law
- Non-profit
- Public administration and policy
Graduate & Law School
Political science is a suitable major for many graduate programs:
- Business
- Communication
- Criminal justice
- Education
- International relations
- Law (Pre-law information)
- Political science
- Public administration
- Public Policy
- Earn a dual degree in political science and law through LEAP. Earn a BA or BS from GVSU political science and a JD from Michigan State University College of Law
For more information:
Pre-law
See the graduate school section of our career guide.
Spotlights
Joshua Lunger, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
Teaching at United States Military Academy
Jacob Johnston
Higher Education Consultant
James Meernik
Political Science Professor
News
January 25, 2021
Applications are being accepted for four named scholarships.
December 21, 2020
Mangala Wins Distinguished Contribution in a Discipline Award
December 15, 2020
PLS 221 students hold model EU meeting online
Retirement Tribute: Professor Richard Hiskes
November 11, 2020
The Political Science Department congratulates Professor Rich Hiskes on his retirement.
Events
Virtual Mardi Gras Celebration
February 8, 2021 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Even though Mardi Gras is on February 16, we will be celebrating is this week by exploring what it actually is, how different areas celebrate it, and why it's important. A Kahoot (with a prize)...
Bill Barker: Presidents' Day Celebration--Man and Legacy
February 18, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
In times of great strife, Americans have often looked to our nation’s founding fathers for guidance. In doing so, we inevitably address the paradoxes they posed. The same Thomas Jefferson who...
Intercultural Meeting with Polish Club
February 22, 2021 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Just as we did last semester with Spanish Club, we will be hosting an intercultural meeting with the Polish Club!! This will include cultural comparisons about food, society, politics, and possibly...
Kelsey Perdue: Local Leadership from Global Experience
February 26, 2021 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Kelsey Perdue personifies the phrase “thinking global, acting local.” Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Perdue went on to graduate from Howard University in Washington D.C. and later receive...
French Music (With Info On Manie Musicale)
March 8, 2021 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
At this meeting, we will go through some popular French music artists and talk about our favorite French music. Here, we will also introduce the rules and information for our Manie Musicale (a...