Variety of Career Paths

One of the advantages to a degree in political science is that students are not pigeonholed into one particular career path.

Some of our graduates, however, do pursue jobs in the realm of politics. For example, Steve Crawford, who is currently on Mansfield University’s Board of Trustees, was former Governor Ed Rendell’s chief of staff. He currently heads his own lobbying firm in Harrisburg, PA.Patrick Lahr was hired by a lobbying firm after he had interned for them via the Washington Center while he was a student at Mansfield University. He has recently taken a promotion with a different lobbying firm and is enjoying a successful career inside the Beltway.

Government jobs and public service are also attractive options for our graduates. Ali Soufan worked successfully as an FBI agent and currently heads his own global security consulting firm. Dan Banke (2010) was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation from Mansfield and is currently serving his country in Okinawa, Japan.

Several of our students choose advanced educational opportunities after graduation, such as law school or graduate school. Graduates have attended or are attending law school from a variety of schools, including Widener University, Ohio State University, and Duquesne University. One of our former graduates is currently finishing up a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Others have completed or are working on advanced degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Wisconsin, American University, Ohio University, George Mason University, and George Washington University.

Other graduates are more interested in careers outside of politics. For example. Mark Ewing is a resident hall director employed at Syracuse University. Jesseca Meyers is working in St. Louis for Ameri-corps. A couple of our graduates have gone on to earn teaching certifications and are working in the field of education.

Amanda Chunko - Class of 2010

Amanda is currently studying law at the Widener University School of Law. While at Mansfield, Amanda was selected to participate in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program. The experience was instrumental in her decision to pursue a law degree. As a THIS intern, she was placed at the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Prosecution division. Her internship gave her hands-on experience working with Commonwealth attorneys to develop case strategy to prosecute and discipline professional licensees in PA. Amanda credits Mansfield for her success, "The professors in the political science program at MU have such a great and genuine passion for what they do and this inspired me to not only do my best, but also go beyond my comfort zone and take on new opportunities." Since she has been in law school, Amanda has studied abroad in Switzerland, returned to the PA Dept. of State as a law intern, worked as a law clerk, and interned at the Widener Civil Law Clinic. Upon completion of her law degree, she hopes to pursue a career in state government or work for a small law firm.

Dan Banke - Class of 2010

Dan earned a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduating from Mansfield in May 2010.  He currently lives and works in Ginowan City, Okinawa, Japan, where he is assigned to a Marine Aircraft Group.  As a First Lieutenant, Dan works as a logistics coordinator and multinational exercise planner for the Marine Corps.  His primary area of expertise is logistics operations in the Kingdom of Thailand.  Dan's job involves a great deal of travel throughout East Asia, and he has developed working relationships with several foreign counterparts.  His degree in political science has proven handy, especially as he experiences different political and cultural systems.  In his spare time, Dan is also pursuing a master's degree in intelligence management. 

Jesseca Myers - Class of 2008

Jesseca speaks highly of her Mansfield experience, "What I learned at Mansfield really catapulted my educational experience and future career interests and is the reason that I attended the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Like most faculty at Mansfield, my two advisers were always available to answer questions and offer personal advisement."  Upon graduating MU, Jesseca enrolled in graduate school.  For her master's degree in international development, she spent two months in Granada, Nicaragua, where she studied sustainable development projects.  She is currently living  and working in St. Louis, Missouri as a member of AmeriCorps, helping at-risk students attend college.