What jobs do our graduates do?

The great thing about a degree from PSI is that you are not restricted to one particular vocation or career choice. The skills that you have learned open up a whole range of exciting careers. Our students have gone onto research posts in parliament, in the civil service and with political parties. Others have become journalists, worked in the private sector as lobbyists or private researchers or gone on to work in the 3rd sector for charities and NGOs.

Jaimie Kaffash

I now work as a reporter on Accountancy Age. I deal with all things tax, which makes headlines in the national papers on a daily basis. My degree from PSI was essential not only in getting the role, but providing me with the knowledge needed while here. Completing John Greenaway's superb British Politics modules at UEA means I can actually justify swanning around Westminster to my editor, whether it be attending committee meetings, or talking to MPs and ministers or following the passage of a Bill.

Donna Boam

I now work in the Public Affairs team at More Th>n, trying to realise what is happening at a senior level in the world of politics, and assessing the impact it will have upon business. One of the main reasons I was shortlisted for the post was due to my degree from UEA: I took part in the parliamentary internship, which gave me some great hands-on experience of working within Westminster and seeing what really goes on behind the scenes!

Jon Fitzmaurice

I work as Projects and Research Manager at the Institute for Citizenship in London. I work closely with politicians, decision-makers and public/private institutions to give people a say in how they are governed. My time at UEA gave me an in-depth understanding of politics and provided me with some fantastic opportunities to build up my experience, such as working in Parliament through the UEA Parliamentary Internship with Tony Wright MP. The teaching at UEA allowed me to really engage with politics and gave me the drive to want to pass on the importance of becoming democratically engaged to people across the UK.

What skills does an employer look for?

Every PSI student is different as is every employer. However there are a number of common themes and skills that employers have told us that they look for.

Analytical Skills

Throughout your degree you have learned how to read and make sense of complex texts. The ability to understand and interpret complex material and convey this in an easily understood way to others is highly sought after. While this might seem obvious, it's through the practice of doing this regularly that enables you to hone this ability. Your ability to identify and investigate complex debates and issues will also help you in being able to formulate and propose solutions to problems.

Communication Skills

Because we use a variety of assessment methods - you have also learned a wide range of communication skills. You've given presentations, written essays and compiled reports. One of the things that employers continually stress to us is the need for graduates to be confident speakers and to be able to write clearly and concisely.

Independent and Team Working Skills

Another skill that employers prize highly is graduates who can both work independently, and also as part of a team. Throughout your degree you have developed both these skills, through independent research and collaborative group work.