Career Checklist

PSPA FRESHMEN

• Look at the University’s Career Services website and become familiar with that office.

  Career Services

• Take courses where you have an interest

  Examples: International Relations, Public Law, American Politics and Public Administration.

• Look at the PSPA careers website including Alumni Testimonials to view various career options.

  Careers for PSPA

• Interested in Law School. You should join the Pre-Law Program at UNF

  Pre-Law

PSPA SOPHOMORES

• If you need some guidance on what direction your career might be headed take the course EDG 2000.

  Career Courses Menu

• Take the Department’s Pre-Internship Course with Dr. Mary Borg | 1 hour. The courses introduces internship opportunities and resume preparation.

  Dr. Borg's Email: mborg@unf.edu

• If you are interested in working on Political Campaigns, volunteer in a Campaign or with a Political Party.

  PSPA Careers

• Talk to faculty members who teach in an area that you have an Interest.

  Faculty

• Meet with your Career Services “College Liaison” to develop your job search plan.
  Career Services Staff

PSPA JUNIORS

• TRANSFER STUDENTS: Make sure to look at the items for Freshmen and Sophomores above.

   Careers in PSPA

• Interested in Law School. You should join the Pre-Law Program at UNF
  PSPA Pre-Law
• If you are not going to Graduate School or Law School, you should have a preliminary answer to this question:

  When I graduate, I would like to work as............a Teacher? Political Professional? Data Analyst? Government Relations Person? State Department Employee? Sales Person? Business Analyst? City Manager? Public Spokesperson for a Nonprofit? Congressional Assistant? Or?

• Start thinking about what skills you have or are developing that are a good match for your prospective job.

  Employers are looking for specific skills such as fundraising ability, ability to write professionally, ability to present complicated concepts to an audience, interpretation and presentation of data, and knowledge of other cultures and nations.

• Meet with Dr. Mary Borg, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg or Department Chair to find an appropriate internship.

  Internships

  Also, attend our Departments' internship fair in February.

   

  PSPA Internships: PSPAInternships@unf.edu

  Dr. Borg's Email: mborg@unf.edu

  Ambassador Soderberg Email: n.soderberg@unf.edu

• Develop a professional resume and an online portfolio.

  Tips for resume and cover letter writing are here:

  Internships in PSPA

• Think about WHERE you would like to work and start developing personal contacts in that community.

  Make sure to use friends, relatives, past work references as potential contacts. If YOU are staying in Jacksonville after graduation, get involved in young professional organization like IMPACTJAX. There are many other types of these organizations in the city. Professional contacts and relationships matter!

• Thinking about Graduate School?

  The PSPA department has two options:

  A Master of Public Administration & A Master of International Affairs

  More information about other Political Science graduate programs is available for Students.

• Review and update your resume to ensure it targets your career interests.
  Example resume and cover letters are available on the PSPA Internships Canvas page. You can also have your resume and cover letter reviewed by Career Services or by emailing PSPAInternships@unf.edu.
• Prepare for job interviews.

  Visit the Career Success Center for available resources for job interviews. 

   

• Develop your job interview skills through practice interviews (InterviewStream)

  InterviewStream

  Login

• Seek job openings related to your career interests.

  Links:

  Simplyhired

  Careerbuilder

• Research companies with job opportunities related to your career interests and attend job fairs to meet with employer representatives

  Career Services

• Build your professional and career network of contacts.
  See here for a link to UNF's Career Counseling and Career Coaching.
• Utilize social media to expand your network

  Linkedin
  Facebook

  Twitter

Conclusion of Checklist

• Final Part of Checklist
  • Find a person who is doing the job you want to do and ask them if you can shadow them.
  • Make sure to keep developing your skills in research, writing, oral presentations, data analysis (SPSS & Excel), and knowledge of current events and trends.
  • Keep in contact with Career Services and the PSPA Department after you graduate from UNF. Opportunities can occur after you graduate.