For a career which you really get to choose you own direction in, run for political office. The best way to approach this is by officially joining a political party and focusing on campaign work. This should help you gain the skills you will need to become an active figurehead for a public role. It can be a pressurised position; however it provides the chance to make a real difference to the lives of the people you represent.

A degree in politics also provides you with a knack for piecing together complex research and formatting it into carefully constructed arguments. One route you may like to use this is in a political role such as research officer for a government department or individual MP. Similarly, you might want a career in the spotlight in media, publishing as a political journalist with content for TV, radio, or newspapers.

One more skill you have developed over your degree is to understand and analyse issues from multiple viewpoints – this is a great advantage, and useful for roles such as a politician’s assistant for instance. Overall, the key, immediately relevant vacancies can be found in the civil service/central government, and in local and regional government/public sector working for political parties. These are attractive option for many to start as they can include a fast track training programme to more responsible positions. In the civil service this could mean becoming a project leader, policy adviser or consultant.

You could also choose to get involved in volunteer work with charities or non-profit-making organisations. Work can be found with private enterprises such as polling or public relations firms, pressure groups/’think-tank’ enterprises and retail areas. Your degree will have helped you develop key skills such as presenting information in a fair and objective light through either written document or public speaking. These are especially useful if you were to decide to move off into a role such as event organisation where planning and communication are important.

Teaching, law and accountancy all offer their opportunities to Politics graduates, but require additional training.