If you’ve ever wondered, “what can you do with a political science degree?”, you’re in the right place. We’re here to talk about seven influential people who majored in political science. While their success can’t be solely credited to their degrees, it’s fair to say that the knowledge and skills they gained through their education played a significant role in shaping their journeys.  

1. Barack Obama  

Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, began his political climb by graduating with a degree in political science in 1983. Afterward, he devoted himself to the people of Chicago, working as a community organizer to improve housing conditions and establish job-training programs for those in need.  

He then earned a law degree, and soon after, joined a law firm that focused on civil rights. For Obama, the legal world was a stepping stone to a political career. In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate. Eight years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. Then, in 2008, he made history by becoming the first Black U.S. president.  

Obama’s presidency was defined by significant challenges, both at home and abroad. Yet his two terms were marked by incredible achievements: the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Affordable Care Act of 2010, and the appointments of Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, to name a few.  

2. Madeleine Albright  

Madeleine Albright’s early years were shaped by upheaval. As a child, she fled to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia after the Soviet-backed communist coup in 1948. By 1957, she had become a U.S. citizen, and two years later, she graduated with honors from Wellesley College with a degree in political science.  

In 1993, Albright became the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. On January 23, 1997, she was sworn in as Secretary of State, becoming the first woman to ever hold the position. Albright was a formidable force in global diplomacy, championing the expansion of NATO, advocating for democracy in Eastern Europe, and working to normalize relations with countries like China and Vietnam.  

Albright’s impact on democracy, diplomacy, and global affairs was profound. And as a unique footnote in her storied career, she appeared on the beloved show “Parks and Recreation” in 2015.  

3. Anderson Cooper 

Anderson Cooper’s early life was marked by tragedy. In 1978, his father died during open-heart surgery, and a decade later, his brother Carter committed suicide. Reflecting on these tragedies, Cooper said, “I became really focused on questions of survival … I came up with this idea: I’ll just go to places that are really dangerous and I’ll learn about survival and try to shoot some stories and maybe it’ll lead to something. Even if it doesn’t, I will learn a lot about how people survive.” 

After earning a degree in political science in 1989, Cooper began his news career as a fact-checker for Channel One, but the job was mundane. So, Cooper did what any sensible person would do: He took a video camera to film strife in Myanmar and parts of Africa. Cooper subsequently took the job of chief international correspondent for Channel One.  

Cooper’s career took off, from becoming an ABC News correspondent in 1995 to hosting the reality show “The Mole” in 2000. In 2003, Cooper got his own show: “Anderson Cooper 360,” where for nearly two decades he’s given his take on major news stories. Anderson Cooper became a household name, and to this day, fans can catch him getting merrily inebriated during CNN’s annual “New Year’s Live” special.  

4. Pete Wentz 

Pete Wentz, bassist for Fall Out Boy, majored in political science and was one semester from graduating before dropping out to chase the punk rock dream. No, Wentz didn’t end up in politics, but who’s to say those political science lessons didn’t find their way into the lyrics of “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” “Dance, Dance,” or “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race.”  

5. Aisha Tyler  

Aisha Tyler stands out as the entry on this list with perhaps the most thrilling career. With a degree in political science and environmental studies, she boldly stepped off the beaten path, deciding to take a risk on her career. Her gamble paid off.  

Today, Tyler is a celebrated director, actor, and comedian, whose career in television spans decades. Her accolades include hosting the hit show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, portraying Dr. Tara Lewis on “Criminal Minds,” and lending her voice to Lana Kane on “Archer.” Speaking with CNN, Tyler emphasized the importance of dedication: “I believe in hard work. I think that everything flows out of that … if you are doing something that you love and you put a lot of hard work into it, you will be rewarded, and that’s been the thing I’ve hewn to for my entire adult life.”  

6. Rachel Maddow 

Rachel Maddow was destined for a career in journalism. By the time she was seven, she was already reading the newspaper, bombarding her parents with questions about what she had read.  

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Maddow turned her attention to activism, working with the San-Francisco-based AIDS organization ACT UP. Her dedication and impact earned her a Rhodes Scholarship, making her the first openly gay U.S. resident to receive the honor. With this scholarship, she pursued and completed a doctorate in political science.  

Maddow’s broadcasting career began in 1999, and after a couple of hosting gigs, she landed own radio show on the Air America Radio network. “The Rachel Maddow Show” was a hit. By 2006, she leveraged her radio success to transition to cable television.  

After stints on other shows, Maddow secured an exclusive contract to be MSNBC’s political analyst in January 2008. “The Rachel Maddow Show” made its television debut that year and was an immediate hit. Today, Maddow continues to offer her sharp insights on the day’s most pressing stories.  

7. Cory Booker 

We couldn’t leave you without mentioning one more influential politician. After earning degrees in political science, sociology, and history, Cory Booker earned a Juris Doctor — a sophisticated term for a law degree — in 1997. After law school, Booker made his way to Newark, New Jersey, and started a nonprofit dedicated to providing legal services for low-income families.  

In a surprise upset, Booker won a seat on the Newark City Council in 1998. Although he lost his initial bid for mayor in 2002, he came back in 2006 and won. As mayor, Booker drew national attention for initiatives on gun control and violence reduction, among other reforms. He held the mayoral office until 2013.   

In October 2013, Booker won a special election to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate. As New Jersey’s junior senator, Booker has been a staunch advocate for justice, co-sponsoring the First Step Act, which became law in 2018. In 2020, Booker launched a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Although he suspended his campaign that same year, Senator Booker continues to serve the people of Newark and the state of New Jersey.   

Turning Education Into Action   

As demonstrated by the diverse career paths outlined above, a degree in political science opens doors to a wide array of opportunities in the public and private sectors. Regardless of the path they chose, the political science backgrounds of these notable figures allowed them to follow their passions and make a lasting impact on the world.  

Change the World With a Political Science Degree  

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science designed to help you reach your goals, whether you’re preparing for law school or looking at other career paths.  

With courses like Political Theory, Congressional Politics, and Public Policy, you’ll gain foundational knowledge of how the American legal and political systems work. Plus, our courses are entirely online, meaning that you can pursue your degree on your schedule while balancing your personal and professional commitments. 

You’ve seen how a political science degree has shaped the lives of successful graduates. Now it’s your turn. Apply to our online BA in political science program and start writing your own success story: one that could change your life and the lives of others.  

Sources: 
https://www.biography.com/political-figures/madeleine-albright
https://depauliaonline.com/18640/focus/most-renowned-bands-and-musicians-depaul/
https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/anderson-cooper
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/rachel-maddow-biography-n1157621
https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/rachel-maddow
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cory-Booker
https://www.booker.senate.gov/about-cory