History and Politics...what kind of jobs?

Hey all. I'm currently looking at the UCD Access courses for next year and have been seriously considering the Social Sciences course. I'm thinking of doing History and Politics as my two subjects but it's got me wondering as to what type of job I'll be able to get if I complete the course and go on to complete the degree.

There's a part of me that's telling me I should be doing commerce or something like that, because I feel that I will be able to make more money in that field.

Anyway, if someone could give me a few examples of jobs I can get with a History and Politics degree I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Rojo

blinkers

good question:) I'm thinking of doing the same coarse...well it's this or architecture!! i don't know what jobs you'll get out of it get though:cool:

pow wow

I did BA History & Politics and 2/3 of my class went on to teacher training (more wanted to but didn't get in). A couple went into generic graduate programmes (where it didn't really matter what your degree was in so long as you had one), a few went into retail, a couple went and had kids and the rest of us went on to postgrad doing other things.

Are you thinking of doing the course because you are interested in it or you want to get a job from it?

meanie boots

meanie boots wrote: »

I did BA History & Politics and 2/3 of my class went on to teacher training (more wanted to but didn't get in). A couple went into generic graduate programmes (where it didn't really matter what your degree was in so long as you had one), a few went into retail, a couple went and had kids and the rest of us went on to postgrad doing other things.

Are you thinking of doing the course because you are interested in it or you want to get a job from it?

Thanks for the reply. History has always been a passion of mine, and since I was about 15/16 politics has intrigued me. So it would definitely be my choice based on interest alone. Since I've posted that question I've pretty much decided that I'm going to stick with History and Politics, and more than likely do a post grad.

Any idea where the ones who went into teaching ended up? I'm presuming you meant secondary school teaching.
Also, retail? As in, work in a shop? Seems like a bit of a waste! I could do that now :P


edit: Oh and I don't mean to be nosey But what did you do your post-grad in and where did you end up?

pow wow

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. History has always been a passion of mine, and since I was about 15/16 politics has intrigued me. So it would definitely be my choice based on interest alone. Since I've posted that question I've pretty much decided that I'm going to stick with History and Politics, and more than likely do a post grad.

Any idea where the ones who went into teaching ended up? I'm presuming you meant secondary school teaching.
Also, retail? As in, work in a shop? Seems like a bit of a waste! I could do that now :P


edit: Oh and I don't mean to be nosey But what did you do your post-grad in and where did you end up?

Lol I'll tell my housemate you said that. She did the same course, had no interest in it, and works full-time in a department store now.

Most of the ones who did teaching went to England to do it. I went to college in the North and competition for teaching places is insane (nowt else much up there to do after an Arts degree!) - plenty who didn't get in last year are trying again this year.

My postgrad is straight politics and I'm still in the throes of it. I'm actually on leave from it at the moment due to work and some health concerns. I work in the NGO/charitable sector and that's where I plan to stay. My class is split into roughly thirds of militant wannabe politicians, blossoming academics, and people who want to save the world. :cool:

meanie boots

meanie boots wrote: »

Lol I'll tell my housemate you said that. She did the same course, had no interest in it, and works full-time in a department store now.

Most of the ones who did teaching went to England to do it. I went to college in the North and competition for teaching places is insane (nowt else much up there to do after an Arts degree!) - plenty who didn't get in last year are trying again this year.

My postgrad is straight politics and I'm still in the throes of it. I'm actually on leave from it at the moment due to work and some health concerns. I work in the NGO/charitable sector and that's where I plan to stay. My class is split into roughly thirds of militant wannabe politicians, blossoming academics, and people who want to save the world. :cool:

May I ask how you find politics relevant to your current career path?
Also, why did they go up north and to England? Is their a barrier to going straight into teaching in Ireland?
I don't think I'd ever do teaching but I'm just curious.

pow wow

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

May I ask how you find politics relevant to your current career path?
Also, why did they go up north and to England? Is their a barrier to going straight into teaching in Ireland?
I don't think I'd ever do teaching but I'm just curious.

They went North because that's where they're all from! I went to uni up there.

As for my career path, well my MA allows you to specialise a lot more than you might think from the blanket 'Politics' title. My modules are split 50/50 on conflict resolution and globalisation/trade development.

I don't want to be Taoiseach

meanie boots

meanie boots wrote: »

They went North because that's where they're all from! I went to uni up there.

As for my career path, well my MA allows you to specialise a lot more than you might think from the blanket 'Politics' title. My modules are split 50/50 on conflict resolution and globalisation/trade development.

I don't want to be Taoiseach

Well you don't seem thick enough anyway so they probably wouldn't give you the job

I might have to drop back into this thread from time to time and ask more stuff but I'm starting to get the general vibe.
Thanks again

mimmi

History and Politics like many arts degrees are not vocational, but develop a range of skills that are 'transferable' and are valued by employers in addition to work expereince.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Options_with_your_subject/Your_degree_in_history/Your_skills/p!edceigX

Politics

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Options_with_your_subject/Your_degree_in_politics/Your_skills/p!ecdeLLg

Prospects is a UK website but the underlying message is the same for ireland.