Political Science

The indictment of political science as a major by a letter writer (Jan. 22) reflects a failure to understand the value of any liberal arts education. I, too, read the column written by Jean Abdel-Gawad (Jan. 10), and I knew her choice of major was not the issue.

Here is a listing of some of the jobs recent political science graduates from Cal State Fullerton have obtained, with only their bachelor’s degrees: high school teacher; elementary school teacher; data analyst for a police department; research analyst in a city; research analyst for a political consultant; management trainee in any number of private sector corporations and industries; insurance sales; newspaper writer.

Here is a listing of some of the jobs obtained by political scientists (not necessarily from CSUF) who went on for advanced degrees: U.S. President; U.S. senator; member of the House of Representatives; state senator; member of the state Assembly; chief executive officer for Orange County; and city manager, chief of police, or city councils members of hundreds, perhaps thousands of communities.

A political science undergraduate may enhance her career opportunities by taking courses that teach statistics, computer applications and survey research, and gain practical experience in an internship. Certainly, most of our students do exactly that. And, they get jobs.

SANDRA SUTPHEN, Chair

Division of Political Science and Criminal

Justice, Cal State Fullerton