Political Communication and Advocacy Career Outlook
The Political Communication and Advocacy Program focuses on human and media communication in the political process and prepares individuals to function as members of political and public affairs organizations, political campaign staff and related government and media entities. Courses include instruction in media effects, political speaking and debating, political advertising and marketing, image management, political journalism, opinion polling and aspects of print and broadcast media related to the production and distribution of media messages in political settings.
To find out more about your major including potential areas and employers, required skills, job outlook, and median pay, please access the Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*Net websites.
Career Outlook
Explore the subsections below to learn more about the potential skills a student with a political communication and advocacy major can develop as well as the potential positions, areas and employers that hire students with this degree. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.
Skills
As a Political Communication and Advocacy major, students may develop or advance skills including those in oral and written communication, research, analytical, interpersonal, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, professionalism, the ability to create compelling messages, an understanding of the U.S. political system, logic, cultural awareness and an international perspective.
Positions
Graduates with a degree in Political Communication and Advocacy can work as social media managers, creative specialists, account managers, copywriters, online content creators, television reporters or producers, investigative or political journalists, foreign correspondents, policy advisors, political consultants, political journalists, speechwriters, government affairs representatives, legislative assistants, lobbyists, paralegals, political campaign managers, urban and regional planners, volunteer coordinators, public information officers, communications directors, fundraisers, event planners and community outreach coordinators.
Areas
Graduates with a degree in Political Communication and Advocacy can work within the following areas: public policy, urban planning, legislative/executive/judicial, law enforcement, intelligence/foreign service, nonprofits, legal aid, political campaigns/parties, public relations, resource development, communications/media, market research, fundraising/development, advertising, event planning, higher education, journalism, public diplomacy and public relations.
Employers
Graduates with a degree in Political Communication and Advocacy can work for federal, state, and local governments, townships, court systems, corporations, law firms, religious organizations, defense contractors, labor unions, libraries/museums, foundations, radio and television companies, public relations firms, non-profits, professional associations, community centers, political parties, consulting firms, colleges and schools.
Helpful Resources
Use the employment opportunity resources below to kickstart your pre-professional and or professional experience search. You may also identify a professional or student organization to join and network with individuals in your major and field. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.
- 1871 Chicago
- Chicago Metro History Education Center, Public Relations Interns
- Chicago Public Radio
- CIA
- City of Chicago
- Choose Chicago
- CLTV Chicagoland's Television
- Cook County Illinois
- Cook County Public Defender
- Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator
- FBI
- Federal Executive Board
- Foreign Service/U.S. Dept. of State
- GPO Access
- Illinois Attorney General's Office
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois News Broadcasters Association
- Illinois Press Association
- Illinois State Archives
- State of Illinois
- The Washington DC Job Source
- The White House
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- USAJOBS
- United States Federal Government
- Washington Internship Institute (Partnership)
- Will County Illinois
- WTTW Chicago Internships
Opportunities
Handshake
In addition to other employment opportunity websites, the Center for SUCCESS uses Handshake to share internships and jobs with students. Please explore the positions provided
in the automated feed below or click "View All" to explore positions in Handshake
using your major as a filter.
Although we attempt to screen all employers and positions, the Center for SUCCESS
and Saint Xavier University assume no liability for the accuracy of information shared
in this feed or through Handshake. The views and opinions shared by employers through
Handshake do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Center for SUCCESS
and Saint Xavier University.
Please Note: This feed may include positions not directly related to your major, as employers
have the option to assign all majors to posted roles. If you have any questions about
a particular employer or position, please contact centerforsuccessFREESXU.