Political scientist (Politicoloog)
Information on this skill...
A political scientist is a scientist who specializes in political science. Political science is a discipline, which deals with the study of politics. Political science can cover different forms of politics, such as national politics, international politics or the politics of the European Union. Political science also covers various areas of research, such as history, power relations, or how exactly political decision-making comes about. A political scientist can examine politics at all levels and not just national politics. Graduate political scientists can work for different companies in different ways. Think, for example, of investigative journalists, policy officers, information officers, political advisers, correspondents or researchers. In addition, political scientists can regularly be seen and heard in the media when it comes to politics. It regularly happens that political scientists are involved in the review of debates as experts in the field of political science. It is therefore not the case that political scientists can only work for the government because most political scientists work within business or education. Research that has common ground with politics can also be carried out by a political scientist. Consider, for example, the influences of social media on political parties or the influences of environmental organizations on politics. As a political scientist, you analyze social and political processes that influence politics. A political scientist generally does not interfere with public administration because this relates to public administration. A political scientist not only looks at politics, but also at the issues behind politics, which may not be equally visible to everyone.
Political science therefore not only relates to politics, but also relates to other subjects that affect politics. Think, for example, of power relations, the distribution of wealth and the influence of lobbyists on politics. A political scientist examines all forms of power relations or other influences on politics, by asking questions and conducting research, and tries to explain or answer them scientifically. What exactly a political scientist investigates can differ per study. Think of topics such as why is a minister popular, who exactly has the power, what is the influence of Brussels, and what is the influence of social media on politics? Politics is perhaps one of the most discussed topics among people because everyone has to deal with the influences of politics and therefore has to deal with political science. As a political scientist, you are therefore specialized in political science in a broad way. Political science covers political theory, political philosophy, sociology, history and economics, among others. As a political scientist, you must have analytical skills to see the whole. This means that a political scientist does not only look at certain parts because it is about the total picture. Think, for example, of investigating the consequences of new representatives for society.
WHAT DOES A POLITICAL SCIENTIST DO
A political scientist is broadly responsible for the scientific study and investigation of politics. It is not the case that a political scientist is solely responsible for following debating members of parliament or state secretaries. Also consider studying crime, safety, the environment, health and prosperity in relation to power relations. Within this, the analysis of data is important in order to be able to come up with possible solutions and / or advice. If a political scientist works in business, for example, you are responsible for investigating the consequences of political relations on business operations. This usually concerns large financial institutions, such as banks and pension funds, which may have an interest in any political decisions and/or power relations. In addition, a political scientist can work within the media sector. In that case, for example, you work as a journalist, investigative journalist or as a correspondent.
WHAT DOES A POLITICAL SCIENTIST DO:
TRAINING AS A POLITICAL SCIENTIST
Anyone who aspires to a career as a political scientist will have to follow and complete the university study political science. The Bachelor's programme in Political Science will generally take three years to complete, covering various topics such as political structures and processes, international relations, political and economic history, research methods and political behaviour. If you are interested in politics and always think: what is behind this decision, then the study of political science is certainly suitable for you. For more information, see also the website Nederlandse Kring voor Wetenschap der Politiek. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A POLITICAL SCIENTIST CAN WORK
A political scientist can work for various companies, governments and research agencies. Think, for example, of a political scientist who works within the media sector or a financial institution, or works as an opinion maker or pollster. In addition, a political scientist can work for the government as a civil servant. In that case, you can, for example, be regarded as a policy advisor. A job within education is also possible. In that case, the profession of social studies teacher may be one of the possibilities. It is also possible that a political scientist is involved in a political party and you are therefore working for a politician. In that case, for example, you work as a political advisor, press officer or as a campaign manager. In some cases, a political scientist can be considered a fact-checker.
COMPETENCES POLITICAL SCIENTIST
As a political scientist, you are first and foremost a scientist and you will therefore need to have research skills. In addition, good analytical skills are important, because a political scientist looks at the whole. Communication should also be regarded as an important competence, because in most cases you will work a lot with different colleagues and external parties. Generally important words are precise, politics, statistics, analyzing, discussing, interviewing, vision, inspiration, planning, organizing, networking and psychology.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A POLITICAL SCIENTIST
The labour market perspective of a political scientist is generally good. This is the case because there is a fairly high demand for political scientists within the business community. This is mainly because political scientists have a broad knowledge, which is useful in various ways within the business world. The career opportunities of a political scientist can be seen in obtaining more responsibilities or possibly obtaining a PhD as a scientist. There are no further examples of specific career opportunities, because you can work for different employers.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY POLITICAL SCIENTIST
There are no specific examples of the employment conditions, because you can work for different types of companies, organizations and governments with different collective agreements. A political scientist usually earns a salary between 3500 and 5500 euros gross per month, depending on age, education, experience and responsibilities. A higher salary is certainly conceivable within this profession, if you have large responsibilities.
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