Careers in Politics, Policy and International Relations

Careers in Politics, Policy and International Relations

Students at the Graduation Award.

Today's college graduates are likely to have five careers. Political science majors are well prepared to face this changing world of employment. Many employers look to majors in political science because of their skills in comparative and critical reasoning, analysis and writing. As a result, political science majors are ideally suited to working not only within traditional employment opportunities such as government offices and agencies, educational institutions, think-tanks, non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations, media sources and law offices but also in a wide range of other, new areas.

Salem State political science majors include civic leaders such as Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll ’88 and Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely.

See the American Political Science Association website for a comprehensive guide to careers in political science, and read about how some of our most recent graduates are succeeding in the field:

From Campus to Career: See our Graduates in Action

 

Vanessa Headshot

Vanessa Bramante ́ 20

After graduating in 2020, I served as a research assistant supporting Professor Jackman's study on attitudes towards seals and sharks on Cape Cod and earned a master's degree in international relations from Columbia University. In 2022, I began my career as a research associate at Root Policy Research, where I worked with state and local governments to advance housing-related legislation. Currently, I live in Chicago and work as Program Manager on Enterprise Community Partners' Housing Solutions team, where I help governments, agencies, and nonprofit partners address housing and community development challenges through research, policy, and strategic planning. 

 

Marie Headshot

Marie Hawwa ́ 21

After graduating in 2021, I attended Suffolk University Law School, earning my J.D. in 2025 and passing the February 2026 Bar Exam. While at Suffolk, I was a recipient of the First-Generation Scholarship, served as President of the Middle Eastern and South Asian Law Students Association, completed immigration law internships with Magaletta & McCarthy and Khanbabai Immigration Law, and worked with Suffolk Law’s Immigrant Justice Clinic. I am currently an Associate Attorney at Nova Law, representing clients in immigration, family law, and personal injury matters.

 

William Headshot

William Scanlan ́ 21

I have built a career in public administration with the Framingham Housing Authority while earning my Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) designation and Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator (MPHA) certification. Since 2023, I have also managed the Southborough Housing Authority, overseeing state-aided public housing operations, procurement, and capital improvement projects. In 2025, I was appointed to the City of Framingham’s Land Trust Board. My work and professional experiences have strengthened my commitment to public service, and I remain grateful for the opportunities provided to me by the PPIR Department.

 

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Derek Baseman ́ 22 

After graduating in 2022, I was selected as a Green and Gold Congressional Fellow for the office of Congresswoman Trahan—assisting fellow veterans, active-duty service members, and the people of the 3rd District navigate administrative cases. I also managed the Service Academy Nomination Process and assisted with a Vietnam Veteran’s appeal to receive the Purple Heart, 50 years after his time in Vietnam! I later became a program manager in the civil service at Hanscom Air Force Base. I have spent the past three years in a training initiative (the PAQ Program). I have worked at the Nuclear Weapons Center, Survivable Airborne Operations Center, and Foreign Military Sales for the AWACS & Wedgetails offices. In the last year, I have led a small team working on software upgrades for NATO and its AWACS Fleet. The PAQ Program provides me with tuition assistance as I pursue a master’s in security studies at UMass Lowell. 

Gamael Headshot

Gamael Chalvire ́ 23

After graduating from Salem State University in 2023, I started working as an Immigration Paralegal at Catholic Migration Services, a non-profit organization in New York City. In my role, I was able to assist the attorneys in helping clients with their immigration cases. I was promoted to a Department of Justice Accredited Representative in 2024. In my position, I represent my own clients in their immigration processes and appear with them in immigration interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

 

Miesha

Miesha Acevedo ́ 24

After graduating from Salem State in 2024, I worked for fellow Alumna Errin Davis at The Davis System, a political consulting firm, where I was able to connect with political power houses like Ayanna Pressley, Joe Kennedy and the NAACP. Currently I am happily working for Newburyport Recreation and Youth Services here in Massachusetts where I run an afterschool program for middle schoolers. During my free time, I work for local candidates in the area. I currently serve as co-manager of State Representative Dawne Shands’ reelection campaign for the First Essex district.

Additional Alumni in Action
  • Brice Bambara

    Brice Bambara ‘11

    I work for the Political and Civil Society Advocacy Department at the Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva. I help civil society and community-based organizations build their capacity in advocating for more resources to be invested in health by governments, the private sector and foundations. In the past, I have worked for the “Fondation pour le Développement Communautaire” in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and for the Global Fund in different capacities—including on specific portfolios such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali. I have a master’s degree in international relations and political science from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.  

  • Brandi Brook

    Brandi Brook '17

    After graduating from Salem State, I attended the Massachusetts School of Law. I received CALI awards in both torts and civil procedure. The CALI award is given to the student with the highest grade in a class. I was also a “Writing and Legal Advocacy Competition” finalist.

    In law school, I worked as a paralegal, utilizing my legal studies while completing my degree. I graduated with my juris doctor in the top three of my class. Since passing the bar, I have been working as a domestic relations attorney in Salem.  

  • Errin Douglas

    Errin Douglas '18

    I am a first generation American from the island of Trinidad & Tobago, but was born and raised in Dorchester, MA. After graduating, I worked for the Massachusetts Democratic Coordinated Campaign, where I helped elect State Representative Liz Miranda (Suffolk-05) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). I served as the community engagement coordinator/staff assistant in the office of Congresswoman Pressley in Washington, DC. Subsequently, I worked for Boston Public Schools as the chief of staff to the Division of Equity, Strategy & Opportunity Gaps.

    I now serve as the chief operating officer for the Davis System LLC, a political consulting firm I started with my fiancé. The Davis System LLC, in partnership with the Berry Institute of Politics, taught SSU’s first ever "How to Run for Office'' course during Spring 2022 with 10 students. 

  • Allan Rodriguez

    Allan Rodriguez ‘17

    After graduating from Salem State University, I joined the staff of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. During my service in the senator’s office, I progressed from staff assistant to press assistant and deputy press secretary.

    In November 2021, I received a presidential appointment to serve in the Biden-Harris Administration as the deputy press secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I currently play a pivotal role in communicating the department's wide-ranging and ongoing efforts to strengthen rural America, support the nation’s producers, combat the climate crisis, bolster nutrition security, and much more. 

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