Course Details

Political analysts are a type of political scientist. An analyst might research political systems or the relationships between the U.S. and foreign countries, advise leaders about a foreign government's goals and the implication of those goals for the U.S., develop political theories based on analysis of historical documents and statistics, analyze and report on election results, or forecast political trends.

Many political analysts work for the federal government and, as such, can make excellent money and enjoy security in their positions. Think tanks and private firms also provide job opportunities, although the pay in such cases can vary, depending on the grants received and the group's political affiliations.