2003 Major: Political Science, minors in Religion and Theater Studies
Current Title/Employer: VP Brand Strategy & Development, Pacers Sports & Entertainment — Indianapolis, Indiana
Just because I'm not a politician doesn't mean being a PoliSci graduate didn't help me. I have a much better understanding of how politics plays a role in shaping culture, norms and behaviors of different constituencies that are relevant to me, whether its my own organization, local government, or political parties whose participants actively engage with my brands and attend basketball games. I also learned how to make cohesive arguments and how to be persuasive in my writing and my speaking. These have been invaluable in my career as I have advanced from industry to industry.
Think of your degree as the start, not the final destination. While I thought I would enter a career working in government, I am now in a marketing leadership role for professional sports franchises, yet I am still applying skills i developed and perspectives I gained as a result of my studies in political science. They have been invaluable, and I encourage students to take a holistic point of view on their studies based on what they're passionate about but also what skills they will develop in their studies.
