I finished a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2017, but I started it after I realized that civil engineering wasn’t for me.
Before I made the decision, however, I was considering journalism because I loved writing, and that was a straightforward path to being a writer.
But I believed that I could have a writing career without a writing-related degree, so I removed that from my options.
What truly matters when starting a writing career is your ability to write well, not the credential that says you can.
“You argue a lot, so being a lawyer may be a good career for you.” That was what my parents told me. It made sense, so I went with political science.
I thought it was a good pre-law degree, but that is for another discussion.
Here, let me share with you what I wish I knew before taking a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and whether it is worth studying.
What I Wish I Knew Before Taking a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
I was 16 to 17 when I entered college, so my knowledge of the world and of myself was limited.
I misunderstood a lot of things, including what political science was about and where it would take me.
So, what do I wish I knew about a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science?
Politics Is Not Just About Politicians
When I heard “political science” for the first time, I thought it was just about politicians, elections, and government officials.
Corruption, democracy, and even Donald Trump. Or Barack Obama, because he was the president of the United States when I was in college.
But there is so much more to it.
It dives deep into the systems, ideas, and structures that govern societies, not just the people who hold office.
It also includes political behaviors, international relations, and even philosophies like Marxism, liberalism, and conservatism.
Basically, it is not just about who becomes president or which law gets passed, but also about why people obey laws, how public opinion is formed, how people vote, or what makes a policy just or unjust.
Lots of Books, Cases, and Articles to Read
What made political science appealing to me was the idea that I would spend many nights reading books, articles, and case studies.
But there was a time when I found myself hating it. I couldn’t handle the amount of text I needed to understand.
Many of the readings were theoretical, so they weren’t exactly light or quick to digest. I couldn’t just skim it because I needed to write papers that analyze or critique the arguments presented.
Critical thinking matters because it helps us avoid being misled by false or biased information.
On top of that, the final thesis was an individual task.
Political science was the only major in my school that required students to finish their final thesis alone, with an advisor.
I envied my friends in other departments.
You Need Strong Critical Thinking Skills
Some professors encouraged us to challenge ideas, even those from philosophers, and make our own arguments supported by logic and evidence.
I wasn’t an active college student, so I didn’t participate in discussions. But I had classmates who were so good at it.
Critical thinking is so big in all social sciences, not just political science. Memorizing facts, dates, names, whatever won’t cut it.
You Must Be a Good Communicator
You would struggle to finish a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science without good communication skills, whether spoken or written.
In my case, I could already write well, and I was praised for that by some of my professors, so I didn’t need to worry about that.
But I didn’t like speaking, so I never participated in debates.
Although political science has many opportunities where even the worst speaker can speak. I wanted to improve my speaking, so I grabbed some.
Introverts May Have a Hard Time Keeping Up
Political science has debates, oral presentations, and group discussions, which reward people who are naturally outgoing.
I struggled initially because, on top of my introversion, I had social anxiety.
I lacked the ability to formulate solid arguments quickly and then share them with others without stuttering. My nervousness consumed me.
Written work, in-depth research, and reflective thinking are all valued in the field. But grades depend on participation, too, not just how well you write.
Political Science Is Not Just a Pre-law Degree
I took a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science because I thought it was the perfect pre-law course. Many of my classmates had a similar belief.
While it can be, it is not limited to that path.
Political science builds a strong foundation in legal systems, government structures, critical thinking, and analytical writing, all essential skills for success in law school and legal practice.
Sure, it gives a strong foundation in law, government, and critical thinking, but it also opens doors to so many other fields.
You can work in policymaking, international relations, public administration, journalism, research, education, and even diplomacy.
Is a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Worth It?
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in political science to understand local, national, or international politics.
Look at me. I write about historical events, economies, social phenomena, and psychology here without degrees in those fields.
I simply read articles and watch educational videos about the topics, and the knowledge I gain is no less than what I could learn in school.
So, it is not worth it if knowledge is what you are after.
But if your ideal job requires you to have that specific degree, then it will be worth it. You will get that ideal job, which is a good return on investment.
Actually, not that I regret the path I took, but if I could go back in time, I would pursue sociology because I am interested in society as a whole.
