What happens post PhD in Politics?

[Mark_B]

A question for those studying for a Politics PhD or, like me, considering studying for a Politics PhD - where do you see yourself ending up post PhD?

Being as I am looking at a part-time PhD (concurrent with well paid current job and as much for personal interest as anything else), I am not sure where I'd end up.

[Demisel]

The academia is where most Politics PhDs end up. The rest get into governmental organizations and think-tanks. There are very few options in the private sector.

[cpaige]

I would advise against pursuing a phd in political science (even if it is part-time ... though which universities actually offer a part-time phd?) if you're not sure where it would take you. I'm not criticizing your knowledge of the profession, but more voicing a concern that you're embarking on a serious academic endeavour without having a clear idea of where it will take you. A PhD in Political Science is an academic degree meant to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional political scientist at a university or think tank. Sometimes you'll see political scientists in the government, but there are mostly people with public policy degrees there.

Think long and hard about whether you want to go into academia. If you have any doubts about it, don't pursue the degree.