Exploring the Graduate Employability in Political Science: Expected Sectors and Early Career Outcomes

Abstract

In Bangladesh, public universities mainly offer political science programs both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Although outcome based education has been introduced in all universities under the university grants commission, the outcome relating to the employability of political science graduates has become a pressing issue in higher education. Curriculum experts have raised questions about why academic rigor and reputation are not sufficient to adequately prepare these graduates for the labor market. In this backdrop, this paper explores the expected employment sectors, essential skills, and early career challenges of political science graduates from major public universities in Bangladesh. Semi-structured interviews with final-year and postgraduate students revealed their employment expectations, required competencies, barriers to securing jobs, and the perceived value of internships and networks. According to the interview, political science graduates aspire to careers in civil service, government ministries, NGOs, international development organizations, research think tanks, and consultancy. However, participants highlighted significant gaps between academic training and labor market requirements. While the curriculum of political science integrates up to date content and research based textbooks, employers increasingly demand practical competencies such as policy analysis, data literacy, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and strong communication skills. According to the job agencies’ requirements the graduates of political science lag behind in the job market due to  the lack of internships, field-based training, and direct engagement with employers, which limited graduates’ readiness to enter competitive job markets. Many postgraduates attend some training and workshops to strengthen credentials believing that additional certifications are necessary to secure quality employment. The findings underscore the urgent need for curriculum reform in political science programs, including the integration of applied learning, professional networks, and employer collaborations. In realistic and practical terms, internship opportunities, case-based teaching, and industry partnerships could significantly enhance graduates’ career outcomes. This study contributes to the broader discourse on graduate employability in social sciences by offering evidence-based recommendations for aligning political science education with evolving job market demands in Bangladesh and similar contexts.

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