Navigating the Political Science Job Market: Key Insights from Recent Reports
The political science job market, like many other academic fields, has undergone significant changes in recent years, influenced by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and broader trends in higher education. Drawing from key findings in the APSA eJobs Report (2021-2022) and the Ph.D.’s Ten Years Later study, here’s an overview of the current landscape and what aspiring and recent Ph.D. graduates should know.
1. The Post-Pandemic Recovery: Trends in Job Postings
The higher education sector has faced significant challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 700,000 jobs lost in 2020 alone. While there has been a slow recovery, the number of job postings in political science remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Declining Opportunities: In 2021-2022, only 947 political science positions were posted on APSA’s eJobs platform, down from 1,298 in 2016-2017. This reflects a tight academic job market with fewer available positions, particularly tenure-track roles.
Shift Toward Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Positions: Over half (53.12%) of job postings in 2021-2022 were NTT roles, compared to 46.88% for tenure-track (TT) positions. This trend highlights the growing prevalence of contingent and temporary academic roles.
2. Regional and Subfield Variations
Geographic and subfield-specific trends also shape the job market dynamics.
Regional Distribution: The Northeast leads with 23.8% of all U.S.-based political science job postings, followed by the West (11.19%) and the Midwest (10.56%). Notably, international job postings have increased, now comprising 21.75% of the market, with Europe and Asia leading the way.
Subfield Demand: The most in-demand subfields include International Relations (19.22%), American Government and Politics (18.06%), and Comparative Politics (13.8%). Meanwhile, traditionally smaller subfields like Political Theory and Methodology have seen slight increases in job postings.
3. Preparing for a Competitive Job Market
The findings from these reports underscore the importance of broadening career outlooks beyond academia, especially given the surplus of Ph.D. graduates relative to available tenure-track positions.
Transferable Skills: Graduates are encouraged to develop skills that are applicable outside academia, such as data analysis, policy evaluation, and project management.
Non-Academic Careers: The Ph.D.’s Ten Years Later study highlights that 30% of political science Ph.D. holders work in business, government, international agencies, and nonprofits, often in management or executive roles.
Career Flexibility: Employers are increasingly posting “open” or “other” positions, which may attract candidates from diverse subfields. This shift suggests opportunities for interdisciplinary scholars or those willing to adapt to broader roles.
4. Career Satisfaction and Retrospective Value
Despite the challenges, many political science Ph.D. holders report high job satisfaction and value in their degree.
Job Satisfaction: Managers and executives in non-academic sectors report the highest job satisfaction (91.5%), followed by academic administrators (88.2%) and tenured professors (81.3%).
Value of the Ph.D.: Over 80% of Ph.D. recipients believe their degree was “definitely worth it,” and 78% would pursue the same degree again.
5. The Road Ahead: Recommendations for Departments and Graduates
To better prepare for a changing job market, academic departments and candidates must adapt:
Broader Career Training: Departments should incorporate non-academic career preparation into doctoral training, emphasizing transferable skills and providing resources for exploring diverse career paths.
Timing and Strategy: With a trend toward earlier job postings (June-July), job seekers should prepare their applications well in advance and stay informed about shifts in hiring practices.
Interdisciplinary Approaches: Graduates can enhance their prospects by exploring interdisciplinary collaborations, which align with the growing demand for broader expertise in the job market.
Conclusion
The political science job market continues to evolve, shaped by global events, economic factors, and shifts in academic hiring practices. While challenges persist, the insights from these studies highlight pathways for success, both within and beyond academia. By staying informed and adaptable, political science graduates can navigate this competitive landscape and achieve fulfilling careers.