Careers in Politics, Policy and International Relations

Careers in Politics, Policy and International Relations

Students in Washington DC

In light of the reality that today's college graduates are likely to have five careers (not just five jobs), and that many specific job skills are learned in the early period of one's employment, politics, policy and international relations majors are well prepared to face this changing world of employment.

Many employers look to majors in politics, policy and international relations because of their skills in comparative and critical reasoning, analysis and writing. As a result, politics, policy and international relations 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.

See the American Political Science Association website for a comprehensive guide to careers in politics, policy and international relations, and read about how some of our most recent alumni are succeeding in the field:

  • Kelly Govoni ’18

    Kelly Govoni, a 2018 Salem State alum, poses with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

    Kelly Govoni ’18

    "After graduating, I started working in Governor Baker’s Office for the Office of Constituent Services. I was responsible for handling the Governor’s mail and responding to constituent inquiries. I was then promoted to Deputy Director and Internship Coordinator.

    I ran the internship program which takes on approximately 50-100 interns a year. My primary role consisted of screening applicants, interviewing, and placing them in offices within the administration (including state agencies). I also handled the Intern Speaker Series. I am now Director of Constituent Services, responsible for assisting constituents in the Commonwealth and ensuring that any inquiries they raise to the Governor are recorded and forwarded to the Governor and senior-level staff. We also connect constituents with state agencies and ensure that they receive the assistance they need."

  • Erin Douglas ’18

    Erin Douglas, a 2018 Salem State alum, stands at a podium.

    Erin Douglas ’18

    "I currently serve as a staff assistant in the office of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley in Washington, D.C. After graduating from SSU, I first worked in Congress as an intern for the Caucus on Black Women and Girls through the Office of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ-12). Afterward, 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 am the Massachusetts Democratic Party 2018-2019 John F. Kennedy Leadership Award recipient and a former recipient of the politics, policy and international relations department’s congressional scholarship. I am a first-generation American to two Caribbean parents from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago but was born and raised in the heart of Dorchester."

  • Tristan Smith ’18

    A headshot of Tristan Smith, a 2018 graduate of Salem State.

    Tristan Smith ’18

    "I am attending Suffolk University Law School on a full scholarship, entirely merit-based. I’ve also maintained my spot on the Swampscott Democratic Town Committee and last year was elected as a delegate to the Massachusetts State Convention. I took a gap year, during which I prepared for the LSAT and law school. In my free time, I am the track and field coach at St. Mary’s in Lynn."

  • Elizabeth Cabral '17

    Headshot of Elizabeth Cabral, a 2017 graduate at Salem State.

    Elizabeth Cabral '17

    "I work at Foley& Lardner LLP, an international firm with over 24 offices, as a Human Resources Assistant. I supervise over 28 employees and manage personnel issues for our Boston office which consists of 160 employees. I started my work at the firm in the Intellectual Property department managing the practice of a Chem-Bio partner.

    I coordinated the filings of hundreds of patent inventions to the USPTO while managing a multimillion-dollar practice. I will be taking a certification exam in Human Resources management and plan on returning to school and getting my MBA with a concentration in Human Resources."

  • Gaetano Mortillaro ’17

    Gaetano Mortillaro, a 2017 Salem State alum, speaks at a podium in front of the Massachusetts state flag.

    Gaetano Mortillaro ’17

    "I am currently enrolled in Boston University School of Law’s dual degree program, and I will graduate with both a JD and an LLM in tax law. I am currently interning at the Massachusetts State House as a legal intern, reviewing both legislation and case law.

    I am also a member of the Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, where I work with fellow members to help reduce juvenile recidivism."

  • Peter Nugent ’18

    A headshot of Peter Nugent, a 2018 graduate of Salem State.

    Peter Nugent ’18

    "The summer after graduation I attended an Arabic language program in Beirut, Lebanon (my second summer here). Then I entered graduate school at Johns Hopkins University where I specialize in state fragility, civil wars, social movements, and terrorism in the Middle East and South Asia."

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