Career outcomes for MA Political Science graduates

Summary

  • Just over 23 per cent of graduates work in for-profit organizations (23.3%). Lawyers, specialists and managers of various areas are common careers.
  • Just over 23 per cent of graduates work in government (23.3%). Analysts and advisors of various areas are common careers.
  • Graduates working in legal services have the highest salaries.

The information on this page was extracted from raw data collected from LinkedIn in early 2022 by the University of Waterloo’s Alumni Relations office. The visualizations and lists represent the careers of alumni who graduated between 2002 and 2021. The salary amounts have been extrapolated based on relevant submissions to Glassdoor.

Roles held by MA Political Science graduates: 

  • Assistant Professor

  • Director of Digital and Elector Information Services

  • Director of Government Relations

  • Director of Operations and Sales

  • Lawyer

  • Manager of International Funding Opportunities

  • Manager of Regulatory & Public Affairs

  • Manager of Socio-economic Development

  • Policy Analyst

  • Researcher

  • Senior Intergovernmental Officer

  • Teacher

Employers of MA Political Science graduates: 

  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Government of Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario
  • Manulife Financial Corporation
  • Mattel
  • Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing
  • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

  • Post-secondary Institutions (Bishop’s University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Queen’s University, University of Waterloo, York University)

  • School boards (Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Waterloo Region District School Board)

  • Self-employed

  • Toronto Dominion Bank

  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

  • United Nations

Employment location for MA Political Science graduates

political science pie graph by employment location

light purple

Ontario, 78%

pink

Quebec, 5.3%

dark blue

USA, 3.3%

light green

Western Canada, 6.7%

light orange

China, 0.7%

light blue

East Coast of Canada, 1.3% 

dark purple

Europe, 2%

dark green

Manitoba, 0.7%

dark orange

Middle East, 1.3%

teal

Northwest Territories, 0.7%

Chart data: Employment location
Employment location Percentage
Ontario 78%
Quebec 5.3%
USA 3.3%
Western Canada 6.7%
China 0.7%
East Coast of Canada 1.3%
Europe 2%
Manitoba 0.7%
Middle East 1.3%
Northwest Territories 0.7%

Career outcomes for MA Political Science graduates by industry 

career outcomes for MA Political Science graduates by industry pie graph

dark purple
For-profit Organization (human resources specialist, immigration consultant, intelligence manager), 23.3%

dark green
Government (political counsellor, trade analytics advisor, director of service planning), 23.3%

dark orange
Legal Services (proposal writer, associate, criminal lawyer), 4.7%

teal
Non-profit Organization (government relations specialist, coordinator of advocacy and international focus, policy analyst), 14%

light purple
Research (research assistant, project coordinator, research analyst), 6.7%

pink
Self-employed (freelance journalist, business development consultant), 2.6%

light orange
Educational Services (assistant professor, teacher, grants and contracts manager), 16.7%

light blue
Financial Services (financial planning associate, claims representative, global head of assessment management), 8.7%

Chart data: Employment industry
Employment industry Percentage
Educational Services (assistant professor, teacher, grants and contracts manager) 16.7%
Financial Services (financial planning associate, claims representative, global head of assessment management) 8.7%
For-profit Organization (human resources specialist, immigration consultant, intelligence manager) 23.3%
Government (political counsellor, trade analytics advisor, director of service planning) 23.3%
Legal Services (proposal writer, associate, criminal lawyer) 4.7%
Non-profit Organization (government relations specialist, coordinator of advocacy and international focus, policy analyst) 14%
Research (research assistant, project coordinator, research analyst) 6.7%
Self-employed (freelance journalist, business development consultant) 2.6%

Mean salary by industry for MA Political Science graduates

Mean salary by industry for MA Political Science graduates

light orange
Educational Services, $74,800

light blue
Financial Services, $97,700

dark purple
For-profit Organization, $75,800

dark green
Government, $87,800

dark orange
Legal Services, $101,200

teal
Non-profit Organization, $74,400

light purple
Research, $58,500

pink
Self-employed, $68,900

View larger image.

Chart data: Mean salary by industry
Industry Canadian dollars per year
Educational Services $74,800
Financial Services $97,700
For-profit Organization $75,800
Government $87,800
Legal Services $101,200
Non-profit Organization $74,400
Research $58,500
Self-employed $68,900

 Median salary by industry for MA Political Science graduates

median salary by industry for MA Economics graduates bar graph

light orange
Educational Services, $79,900

light blue
Financial Services, $63,900

dark purple
For-profit Organization, $60,900

dark green
Government, $75,700

dark orange
Legal Services, $108,200

teal
Non-profit Organization, $73,600

light purple
Research, $54,800

pink
Self-employed, $74,100

View larger image.

Chart data: Median salary by industry
Industry Canadian dollars per year
Educational Services $79,900
Financial Services $63,900
For-profit Organization $60,900
Government $75,700
Legal Services $108,200
Non-profit Organization $73,600
Research $54,800
Self-employed $74,100