3 answers
Finlay
Student
Santa Monica, California
1
Question
Updated
639 views
What advice do you have for college freshman deciding on a career path? What do you wish you would have thought about as a first year college student when making career choices? I am a political science major, not looking to go to law school. #Fall25
Freshman, political science major at Vanderbilt.
Login to comment
3 answers
Christina Owens
Senior Technical Writer/Career Identity Architect
34
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hey Finlay 👋🌞 — First off, I love that you’re asking this now. Most students don’t stop to reflect until they’ve already sprinted down someone else’s path. You’ve got time—and that’s gold. 💛
Here’s the truth: your first year of college isn’t about locking in your forever job. It’s about collecting data on yourself. You’re the experiment, the lab, and the scientist all in one. 🧪💡
Political science gives you a lens to see how power, policy, and people interact—but it doesn’t cage you into one career. The key is to explore how your curiosity expresses itself:
• Do you love solving complex problems? You might thrive in strategy or consulting.
• Do you care deeply about justice or voices being heard? Think policy, nonprofits, or advocacy.
• Do you love writing or shaping narratives? Public relations, communications, or civic storytelling could light your fire. 🔥
The question isn’t “What do I want to do?”—it’s “What kind of problems do I want to help solve?” Once you can answer that, your direction starts to choose you back. 🎯
What I wish I’d known early on: your network becomes your compass. Talk to professors, shadow professionals, volunteer where impact meets interest. You don’t need to know everything—just take the next aligned step, and let that step introduce you to the next one. 👣💫
The best careers aren’t chosen in a classroom—they’re discovered in motion.
Keep your will conditioned and your vision aligned. 🌍💪
— Christina Owens | CoachOwens
https://coachowens.com
| Follow on LinkedIn @CoachOwens 🌱✨
Be fearless in what sets your soul on fire. 🔥❤️🔥
Here’s the truth: your first year of college isn’t about locking in your forever job. It’s about collecting data on yourself. You’re the experiment, the lab, and the scientist all in one. 🧪💡
Political science gives you a lens to see how power, policy, and people interact—but it doesn’t cage you into one career. The key is to explore how your curiosity expresses itself:
• Do you love solving complex problems? You might thrive in strategy or consulting.
• Do you care deeply about justice or voices being heard? Think policy, nonprofits, or advocacy.
• Do you love writing or shaping narratives? Public relations, communications, or civic storytelling could light your fire. 🔥
The question isn’t “What do I want to do?”—it’s “What kind of problems do I want to help solve?” Once you can answer that, your direction starts to choose you back. 🎯
What I wish I’d known early on: your network becomes your compass. Talk to professors, shadow professionals, volunteer where impact meets interest. You don’t need to know everything—just take the next aligned step, and let that step introduce you to the next one. 👣💫
The best careers aren’t chosen in a classroom—they’re discovered in motion.
Keep your will conditioned and your vision aligned. 🌍💪
— Christina Owens | CoachOwens
https://coachowens.com
| Follow on LinkedIn @CoachOwens 🌱✨
Be fearless in what sets your soul on fire. 🔥❤️🔥
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
764
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Finlay. Political science opens many doors. You need to explore widely and stay curious.
Political science teaches valuable skills like critical thinking, research, communication, and understanding how systems of power and policy work. These abilities are useful in many fields beyond law, such as public policy, journalism, education, consulting, and even business. You can take classes in different subjects (like economics, sociology, or data science) to see how your political science studies connect to real-world careers. You may discover new interests that guide your direction.
Next, you should get hands-on experience early. Internships and volunteer opportunities can help you test out what kinds of work you enjoy. For example, you might intern with a nonprofit organization. Even if you find that certain experiences aren't the right fit, you'll still gain useful skills and a clearer idea of what you want.
It's also important to build relationships with mentors. Talk to professors, career advisors, and older students about your interests and goals. They can offer insights about different career paths, recommend opportunities, and help you understand how to apply your major in practical ways. Sometimes, hearing how others found their careers can give you ideas you hadn't considered before.
All the best!
Political science teaches valuable skills like critical thinking, research, communication, and understanding how systems of power and policy work. These abilities are useful in many fields beyond law, such as public policy, journalism, education, consulting, and even business. You can take classes in different subjects (like economics, sociology, or data science) to see how your political science studies connect to real-world careers. You may discover new interests that guide your direction.
Next, you should get hands-on experience early. Internships and volunteer opportunities can help you test out what kinds of work you enjoy. For example, you might intern with a nonprofit organization. Even if you find that certain experiences aren't the right fit, you'll still gain useful skills and a clearer idea of what you want.
It's also important to build relationships with mentors. Talk to professors, career advisors, and older students about your interests and goals. They can offer insights about different career paths, recommend opportunities, and help you understand how to apply your major in practical ways. Sometimes, hearing how others found their careers can give you ideas you hadn't considered before.
All the best!
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
208
Answers
Kyle, Texas
Updated
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Constututional Law would be the route to go as the polical climate is set to go back to strict constitution based & soveriegn legislation. The need for educators in this area will be in high demand as the admiralty laws we have been subjected too will be dead in the water if not already. Common Law will be the law of the land and you, my friend can be part of lifting us up in the very principles that were intende for this country. Wishing you the best. Remember that your degree won't be in a subject that made up for the times and fabricated industry as in recent past. It will have weight, unlike much of the paper on walls today. Semper Fi!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Finlay