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Has anyone got a degree in Social Sciences/Politics and what do you do now?

22 replies

Cojmum · 18/06/2014 16:56

I have recently taken my last exam with the OU and will graduate with a degree in Social Sciences with Politics. I am a bit lost now as I don't really know what to do next. I'm not even sure why I did the subject in the first place and wish I had decided on a career and done a more specific degree.

So has anyone got a similar degree and what career path have you taken? I am willing to embark on more education, but can't stretch to a Masters.

OP posts:
Waggamamma · 18/06/2014 17:01

I did Politics and History at a Russel Group University.

I graduated in June 2010 with a 2:1. I'm on my second 'proper' job now. I'm in a development/project officer position with a national charity. I've also had one year of maternity leave in that time.

However I did lots of voluntary work, placements and internships whilst doing my degree. I believe this secured me my job and not my degree alone.

holdthephone · 18/06/2014 17:06

I have a degree in a social science, graduated about 9 years ago.

I now work in marketing (currently for a charity) and love it. I have gone on to get professional marketing qualifications and also done LOTS of volunteer work/ portfolio building stuff.

I would say that volunteering may be a better way of getting experience/ finding out what you want to do than more education.

TheScottishPlay · 18/06/2014 17:17

I graduated 20 years ago with an MA in Political Science & History.
I worked for an Investment company for 15 years in a variety of roles.
I was made redundant 5 years ago and just applied for things which took my fancy. I got a job with a charity supporting adults with learning disabities. I still work in that sector, taking opportunities to train and progress as they came up.

Cojmum · 18/06/2014 20:07

All of those sound interesting. My son only goes to pre-school for 6 hours a week at the minute, but from September will have the full 15 hours. I plan on doing some voluntary work then.
I think I will see if I can do a couple of different roles before I start looking for work when he starts reception.

OP posts:
Moid1 · 18/06/2014 20:59

MA Politics and Modern History, more study and ended up as a solicitor.

weatherall · 21/06/2014 10:09

Have a look into grants that are available to do post grad social work.

I've worked in third sector, but I did a year of vol work after degree to get in.

topbanana1 · 21/06/2014 12:41

I studied history, then TEFL qualification and am now a Chief Examiner/teacher/materials writer. DH studied PPE and worked his way up in the civil service. Friends with similar degrees are now executives at oil companies, work in politics, banking, law and international development.

You can do anything with a social sciences degree.

What do YOU want to do?

CorporateRockWhore · 21/06/2014 12:48

I have 2:1 in Politics and am now a web and social media expire with a learning and development company.

Really random but I really wanted to work for this particular company and turns out I'm good at social media for business!

CorporateRockWhore · 21/06/2014 12:49

Expire??? It said editor when I pressed post!

Lostinasupermarket · 21/06/2014 12:56

MA in Politics/Public Policy - I currently stay home looking after my two small children but previously owned my own cafe.

Thinking of going back and finishing a Masters in Art History - since having children the cut and thrust of politics and public policy bores me a lot more than it used too.

GoodtoBetter · 21/06/2014 13:00

2:1 in International Relations from a good uni. Went to Spain after uni to teach TEFL for a bit, met now DH and still here 15 years later with 2 bilingual DC. Now teach and translate Sp-Eng.

SwiftRelease · 21/06/2014 15:04

Similar-ish but taken in halycon days of no fees and grants and much more status attached to degree as far earer to have one! So felt worthwhile anyway. Never directly led to anything dpecific but got me into graduate level work/pay but fairly well-regarded and ticks the box

Eastie77 · 21/06/2014 18:17

Bsc Politics & Modern History. I've worked in Digital Advertising since I graduated.

Cojmum · 23/06/2014 14:56

Thanks everyone, lots of different things to think about.

topbanana1 I have no idea. I'm going to do lots of volunteering I think and get a feel for different things.

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ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 23/06/2014 21:07

Degree in politics ended up in Marketing.

Fideliney · 25/06/2014 18:02

From my undergraduate cohort, I know of;

Probation Officer
Lecturer (two)
Journalist (three I think!)
Researcher
Police Officer
Campaigns Officer (charity)
Fundraiser
Retail Manager
Accountant
Civil Servant (several)
Teachers (primary and secondary)
Employment Adviser (Lone parents I think)
IT type person (vague sorry)
Works in family business (some sort of farming)
Childminder

Those are the ones I kept track of anyhow. HTH Smile

KittyandTeal · 25/06/2014 18:11

BA(hons) in politics and psychology.

I'm now a primary school teacher (very relevant!) The most I use my politics half is to explain harp on about democracy to the kids. I use the psychology bit a little more dealing with sen and emotionally traumatised children.

glorious · 25/06/2014 18:33

My first degree isn't relevant but I have a masters in politics and I'm a civil servant. I'm considering moving into a policy role for a charity though and some of my contemporaries do that kind of thing.

cazinge · 27/06/2014 23:49

BA Politics & Modern History, 2:1 from an ok university (just below RG) graduated in 2010 so loans, top up fees etc.

I have worked in various non-IT project management roles in local gov & 3rd sector after a nmw 'graduate internship' on a project at my local council which helped secure my first 'proper' job. Now a fairly well-paid project manager in 3rd sector.

From my degree subject I know of teachers, journalists, marketing professionals, a chief exec in loval gov, a policy officer for dept of transport so pretty varied!

Gillbillz · 28/06/2014 20:50

I graduated in politics and sociology in 2003 and currently work as a social researcher in the education sector. I mainly evaluate the impact of interventions and new policies. I previously volunteered for a charity full time and worked as a policy officer for a local authority. While the work is interesting I do find that a lot of the opportunities are london based and this limits my options now I'm a mum. Maybe try looking at jobsgopublic or charity job to see which types of role appeal and which skills are most in demand.

Hoppinggreen · 28/06/2014 20:56

I got a 2.1 in Politics and English 20 years ago. IvE never had a related job and I am now a freelance Business Consultant specialising in Sales strategies

FruitBadger · 13/07/2014 10:11

BA in International Relations and History, graduated in 2003. I'm now a Chartered Accountant - I work in the public sector for a local authority and have found my degree useful for understanding and helping others to understand the wider implications of their decisions.

Having said that, whilst I loved my degree and really want to carry on with a Masters at some point, it's been totally unnecessary, I could have got to where I am without it!

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