[Antonia87]

I told an old friend this morning that I was embarking on to a Politics degree in 2009 to which he replied "Options are limited after a Politics degree". I was surprised as I have never heard someone say that about Politics. After scouting for information I've found the degree is a route into many fields - academia, research, journalism, the civil service, banking, foreign affairs, public affairs, diplomacy...

Is there any element of truth in what he said?

[Bagration]

It's limited in that you can do all (most) those things with a science degree, but you can't go into "science" with a politics degree.

[IlexAquifolium]

Well, you're not going to become a doctor or an engineer. Other than that, most liberal-arts style routes will be open to you.

Edit: I think in many cases it's self-limiting. People who take politics usually have specific routes in mind. Most of my friends are now either involved in formal politics, undertaking research training, doing internships, or have taken consultancy-type jobs.

[Hobnobs Galore]

Thing is, even with a politics degree- some universities will take you on to graduate medicine

[oo_Lucinda_oo]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

I told an old friend this morning that I was embarking on to a Politics degree in 2009 to which he replied "Options are limited after a Politics degree". I was surprised as I have never heard someone say that about Politics. After scouting for information I've found the degree is a route into many fields - academia, research, journalism, the civil service, banking, foreign affairs, public affairs, diplomacy...

Is there any element of truth in what he said?

OT, but I'm applying for Politics at UEA too

Can I ask (if you don't mind) what your results were for A-level in what subjects, and whether you've received any offers?

I haven't sent off my application yet but think I may be aiming too high!

In reply to your post, I spoke to someone who took politics at uni (a family friend), and he said he found it a pretty broad list of potential careers after he graduated, he listed most of what you said and a few others I can't remember. So no, I don't think there is a truth in it!

[Antonia87]

Originally Posted by Bagration

It's limited in that you can do all (most) those things with a science degree, but you can't go into "science" with a politics degree.

Well if I wanted to get into science I would have chosen to embark on to a science degree wouldn't I?

[Shelly from London]

that may be so, but all those you listed are v well paid, so who cares :P

[Bagration]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

Well if I wanted to get into science I would have chosen to embark on to a science degree wouldn't I?

No ****, that was the point I was making?

[PinkFlamingo19]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

I told an old friend this morning that I was embarking on to a Politics degree in 2009 to which he replied "Options are limited after a Politics degree". I was surprised as I have never heard someone say that about Politics. After scouting for information I've found the degree is a route into many fields - academia, research, journalism, the civil service, banking, foreign affairs, public affairs, diplomacy...

Is there any element of truth in what he said?

I did a mixture of arts and sciences at A'level, and first off applied for history and international relations. However, upon looking at career choices I was aware it only opened into graduate jobs (other than a historian) that most other degrees would open up to anyway, so I have had a gap year and am reapplying for sciences which find really interesting. I still hope to join the civil service or something after but now I know I am keeping options a little more open, and political matters and history are still an interest/hobby i keep up with just outside of acaedemia.

On the other hand, certain jobs more politically based etc may favour someone with a degree in politics as its more direct but i am not sure.

[Antonia87]

Originally Posted by oo_Lucinda_oo

OT, but I'm applying for Politics at UEA too

Can I ask (if you don't mind) what your results were for A-level in what subjects, and whether you've received any offers?

I haven't sent off my application yet but think I may be aiming too high!

In reply to your post, I spoke to someone who took politics at uni (a family friend), and he said he found it a pretty broad list of potential careers after he graduated, he listed most of what you said and a few others I can't remember. So no, I don't think there is a truth in it!

I achieved -

Politics B
Law B
English Lang/Lit B
Media C (hated it and dropped it)

I am predicted AAB and I was given four offers (I accepted UEA as my firm!)

[oo_Lucinda_oo]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

I achieved -

Politics B
Law B
English Lang/Lit B
Media C (hated it and dropped it)

I am predicted AAB and I was given four offers (I accepted UEA as my firm!)

Four offers! Wow, congrats!

I have (completed A-levels) English Lang/Lit B, Business Studies B, doing History now and predicted an A, the best I can hope for is ABB so I'm not sure it is enough, I reaaally want to go there though

Good luck with your results though, if I'm lucky perhaps I'll see you there next year

[Antonia87]

Originally Posted by IlexAquifolium

Well, you're not going to become a doctor or an engineer. Other than that, most liberal-arts style routes will be open to you.

Edit: I think in many cases it's self-limiting. People who take politics usually have specific routes in mind. Most of my friends are now either involved in formal politics, undertaking research training, doing internships, or have taken consultancy-type jobs.

And how are they finding it? I mean, do they regret what they chose to study?

[IlexAquifolium]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

And how are they finding it? I mean, do they regret what they chose to study?

Not as far as I'm aware. They tended to fall into two camps - those with a real passion for the degree, who were 'into' it for its own sake, and those who enjoyed it perfectly well but who were more interested in the university experience or their job prospects. Quite a few of my friends in the second category now have training contracts in various professions, and went for the '2.1 and lots of fun' route whilst at university, so they're perfectly happy. Most in the former camp loved the course and are now doing quite worthy or interesting jobs.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is, what do you want to get out of it? You will only regret it if it doesn't live up to your expectations. Some of those may be unrealistic (all freshers seem to think that university is a hedonistic land of wonder - it gets boring quickly, believe me), but some will be related to what you want out of it. And if what you want isn't compatible with the degree, then you will inevitably be disappointed.

[e-lover]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

And how are they finding it? I mean, do they regret what they chose to study?

Look, I had similar thoughts last year wondering if I should do Law/Medicine/Politics. But, in the end I think it works out if you want it too!

I don't regret doing Politics. I've met some of the most diverse people and my tutors/lecturer's are all fantastic (apart from Methods, why??!!!!!!) lol.

I know people who have done Politics and are now in political advisory/strategy/finance/law/academia. If you call that limited then I don't know what your looking for!

[starlock]

As my parents are all to quick to point out, its not always the type of degree you hold, whether it be politics, history... or English its about having a degree which will get you the job. most jobs just require a degree to show you have learnt skills like independent learning and research etc.

Your options are only as limited as you make them.

[Nina_NZ]

[quote=oo_Lucinda_oo]OT, but I'm applying for Politics at UEA too

Can I ask (if you don't mind) what your results were for A-level in what subjects, and whether you've received any offers?

[quote]

I'm currently studying Politics at UEA, originally I applied for Politics & Philosophy, and my offer was BBB. On results day my grades were only CCC but I was still accepted straight away. When I started the course I decided that I wanted to switch to straight Politics and they let me so I don't think you're aiming too high!

[The West Wing]

In the subject hierarchy it basically goes 1. Medical degrees, 2. Hard sciences, 3. Soft sciences, 4. Law and Economics/Finance type courses, 5. Everyone else

While prospects aren't the best, they're no worse than most other arts graduates.

[unknown demon]

Originally Posted by Antonia87

I told an old friend this morning that I was embarking on to a Politics degree in 2009 to which he replied "Options are limited after a Politics degree". I was surprised as I have never heard someone say that about Politics. After scouting for information I've found the degree is a route into many fields - academia, research, journalism, the civil service, banking, foreign affairs, public affairs, diplomacy...

Is there any element of truth in what he said?

With an arts degree you can enter most professions but not all as with all other degrees. Something I had to really stress with my parents who hit the roof when I said I'm going for an arts degree over something more commercial/mathematical/quant heavy.

I don't think the degree actually leads you into a particular field but what your personal interests are. For example, after the summer of my own second year most of peers studying politics entered these corporations for internships: BBC, DowJones, CNN, PR, Merril Lynch (Front office, IBD M&A), HSBC, IBM, Parliament U.K and so forth. Hardly a specific amount of careers, quite broad in fact in terms of graduate destinations.

Your degree should not limit you to only a handful of careers. In this day and age alot of employers care more about the skills you possess rather than the title of your degree hence why you see most graduate schemes stipulate a '2.1 in any degree discipline coupled with an interest in (insert profession)'

Of the finalists this year many are going into all sorts of careers which are certainly impressive, admirable etc or going off to do masters at high calibre institutions.

I've met plenty more outside of my institution who are going into careers completely unrelated to the degree as well as those in equal measure who are determined to do something political with their lives.

To sum up then, it comes down to you. If its employment/professional careers your after the degree just tells them you've got a brain. Your personality, work experience, extra-curriculars and motivation for the job are far far more important than the subject you've studied in alot of cases I've found.