• Teach political science.
• Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
• Identify issues for research and analysis.
• Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
• Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
• Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
• Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.
• Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.

• Analytical or scientific software — DataMystic TextPipe Pro; JudgeIt II; SAS ; SPSS
• Data base management system software — Bare Bones Software BBEdit; IDM Computer Solutions UltraEdit
• Data base user interface and query software — CQ Press Political Reference Suite; Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) database; Library of Congress E-resources Online Catalog; Microsoft Access
• Desktop publishing software — Microsoft Publisher
• Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software — SAP
• Graphics or photo imaging software — Microsoft Visio
• Information retrieval or search software — EBSCO Publishing Political Science Complete; JSTOR database; ProQuest Worldwide Political Science Abstracts; Sage Reference Online
• Object or component oriented development software — R
• Office suite software — Microsoft Office
• Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software — Microsoft SharePoint
• Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.

• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
• Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.