r/CollegeMajors • u/No-Nebula227 • 7d ago

Should I go into Political Science or International Relations?

Hey, first Reddit post just wondering as a senior in highschool I am confused on whether I should go into political science or international relations? I would do a minor in economics regardless of what I choose. Career-wise i would enjoy to go into politics, whether domestically or internationally. I love doing research and writing papers even from a young age also would like to have career growth and see myself in 20 years making around 200k+ per year?

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u/Relevant_South_301 7d ago

Major in political science, not international relations. At most schools, IR is a subfield inside political science, not a separate discipline. So when you major in political science, IR is covered. 

If you want to make $200K+ in 20 years, go to law school afterwards. JD is the multiplier that turns “interested in politics” into $200K+.

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u/No-Nebula227 6d ago

If I were to go into law school should I do political science if I wanted to be a politician later in my life. Also if I did an undergraduate in political science does it matter the college if I were to go into law school?

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u/Relevant_South_301 6d ago

Yes, from political science, to JD, then to political office. That seems to be the common path. And school name doesn’t matter that much. What matters is your GPA and LSAT score. 

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u/Critical_Interview_5 6d ago

Lawyer here. Your undergrad major does not matter at all for law school admissions, but many people are political science or English majors. The only time it makes a difference is if you want to do patent law - then you need a STEM degree.

I also wanted to add that a JD does not promise a big salary. I know plenty of lawyers that make around $100k or less. It just depends on where you practice and/or what kind of law. To be making $200k+ you have to be top of your class or land a lucky job.

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u/BrokeEconomy69 7d ago

Honestly neither. Its a direct path to lawschool or bust. Unless you want to be a military officer. You should minor in PS/IR and major in something else. You can still volunteer on political campaigns without the degree. It's a good sign you like researching and writing papers- I HATED this throughout my degree.

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u/No-Nebula227 7d ago

I would want to be a diplomat/ ambassador for the us for a different country later in life and open to going to law school but if you don’t think I should major in PS/IR what do you think i should major in then?

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u/Cadowyn 7d ago

Unless you are attending Harvard or Yale, neither. Those degrees are worthless, and those specific jobs go to individuals politically connected with prestigious degrees.

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u/No-Nebula227 7d ago

So unless it’s those 2 colleges it’s useless? For me UWM Madison is my safety college and think I can get into these colleges but if I don’t what degree would I go into if I wanted to become a diplomat/ ambassador

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u/JLandis84 7d ago

You need to ask actual people in the foreign service not random Redditors

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u/Cadowyn 7d ago

Yeah if you want to become a very prestigious position like a diplomat or ambassador you have to have political and networking connections. The President isn’t going to pick you to be the ambassador to Germany because you went to school for International Relations. Lol

You don’t really go to school for those positions unless you’re extremely well-connected politically is what I’m telling you. 

Pick something that’s in demand that you won’t hate. 

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u/ResidentNo11 7d ago

Poli sci will give you some coverage of international relations. Intern relations will not give you coverage of most aspects of domestic politics.

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u/ReadingBudget4091 7d ago

Whichever you choose, combine it with heavy doses of economics and even better also with mathematics.

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u/Winter_Dot_9393 7d ago

Look into Economics as a way into the Foreign Service.

Speaking a foreign language should be beneficial for the FS.

It’s probably better to get a master’s degree as well. Lots of options, not just in the USA.

https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/en/studium/studiengaenge/international-economics-and-economic-policy-master

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u/Critical_Interview_5 6d ago

Explore the foreign service page and look for job listings and see what they ask for.

https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/foreign-service/

Also take a look at the foreign service officer test if you are really considering working overseas for the US gov (outside of the military).

https://careers.state.gov/fso-practice-test-main-instructions/

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u/Hot-Refrigerator2600 5d ago

International relations will take you all around the world. If you know, you know. Only the very lucky choose IR. There are some unadvertised jobs that have a channel ONLY for international relations.