POLS 495 - Political Science Field Placement
Timeline
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January 15, 2025Experience start
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April 11, 2025Experience end
Categories
Skills
No skills listedPolitical Science Field Placement Program
A political science field placement course offers students the opportunity to apply their academic understanding of political systems, public policy, and governance in real-world professional settings. Political science majors are well-prepared to contribute across a range of sectors, including public administration, non-profit advocacy, policy analysis, and international relations. During the placement, students bring strong research and analytical skills, an understanding of governance structures, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Employers can expect students to provide valuable insights, adapt quickly, and bring fresh perspectives to policy and political challenges.
Skills:
Technical Skills:
- Policy analysis and research methodology
- Data analysis and visualization
- Understanding of governance, political theory, and legislative processes
Soft Skills:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving for policy issues
- Effective written and verbal communication, particularly in public and policy contexts
- Team collaboration and project management skills, including deadline management and organization
Students will fill a position working directly for an organization for a placement of between 90-120 hours. The position can include regular tasks and/or projects needed by the organization. The student should complete work that is meaningful, valuable, and authentic of the organization's workplace.
Students will also be enrolled in other courses so ideal placements will be part-time roles taking place over the duration of the winter semester.
Students will complete reflection-based assignments related to their skill development and feedback received during this experience.
Key Dates:
- Early January - Placements begin
- Mid to Late February - Mid-point feedback is provided by the placement supervisor to the student
- Late March to Early April - Placements end. Final feedback is provided by the placement supervisor to the student.
Project timeline
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January 15, 2025Experience start
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April 11, 2025Experience end
Project Examples
Potential Placement Roles Could Include (not limited to):
Policy Analyst Intern – Assisting government agencies or think tanks in researching and evaluating policies on social, economic, or environmental issues.
Legislative Assistant – Supporting legislators or city council members with policy research, constituency communication, and preparing briefing materials.
Campaign Assistant – Working with political campaigns to assist with event planning, volunteer coordination, outreach, and social media.
International Relations Intern – Supporting organizations focused on global diplomacy, development, or trade through research and analysis on international policies.
Non-Profit Advocacy Intern – Working with advocacy groups to support campaigns, engage with stakeholders, or develop public outreach materials on key social issues.
Public Affairs/PR Intern – Assisting with media outreach, communication strategy, and public relations for government or advocacy organizations.
Data Analyst for Polling/Research Firm – Conducting data analysis, survey research, and generating reports for firms focused on public opinion and political trends.
Community Organizer – Collaborating with local non-profits or political groups to mobilize community members and advocate for social or policy change.
Legal Assistant for Public Defender or Law Firm – Aiding with case research, document organization, and client communications in preparation for cases related to constitutional or human rights issues.
Environmental Policy Intern – Assisting with research, public communication, and policy recommendations on environmental issues within non-profits or government agencies focused on environmental conservation.
Human Rights Research Assistant – Supporting international or non-governmental organizations by researching human rights issues and policy proposals.
Public Health Policy Intern – Assisting government or non-profit health agencies by analyzing data, preparing reports, and supporting health policy initiatives.
Lobbying Firm Assistant – Helping with policy research, strategy, and client communication in a lobbying or government relations firm.
Urban Planning Intern – Collaborating with city planning departments to research policies on housing, transportation, and zoning.
Journalism and Political Reporting Intern – Covering political events, writing articles, and interviewing political figures for media outlets.
Economic Development Intern – Supporting local government or development organizations with research on economic policies, grant writing, and community outreach.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Assistant – Helping companies develop and implement CSR initiatives, especially those related to social justice and environmental sustainability.
Intelligence Analyst Intern – Working with defense or intelligence agencies to analyze data on national security issues.
Judicial Clerkship Assistant – Observing court proceedings and assisting judges or clerks with case analysis and legal documentation.
Immigration Services Intern – Working with immigration or refugee organizations to support case management, client outreach, and advocacy efforts.
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
Community Partners will provide a dedicated supervisor for the student or team of students on this project.
The supervisor will provide ongoing communication, project direction, and feedback, including feedback at the midway and end point of the project
How many placement students can your organization accept?
Timeline
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January 15, 2025Experience start
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April 11, 2025Experience end