Political Communication

Learn about public relations and the political uses of communication and apply your analytical thinking and writing skills.

Political Communication students study the ways in which communication influences public opinion of political figures and public policy, and how it is used across a range of topics and media. They gain skills in content analysis and development in areas such as speech writing, political communication management, election campaigns, and political marketing. They explore the effectiveness of communication across various channels and platforms and to different audiences.

Roles and career pathways

Where Political Communication graduates work

Build relevant skills and experience

Experiences such as internships, part-time work, and volunteering all help to increase career options for graduates. Programmes such as Wellington Plus and Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP) offer opportunities to gain diverse volunteer and leadership experience. Volunteering in communications roles within a political party, particularly during an election year, or being involved in a university students’ association such as VUWSA or in an executive or communications officer role for a university club all offer valuable experience.

Writing and lobbying voluntarily for human rights and social change organisations such as AVAAZ can also provide useful experience.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is also useful experience in learning to give in-person advice across a range of issues.

Internships can be offered by media, policy, and advertising organisations and the WFHSS Internship course run by the Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences helps develop skills and provides practical workplace experience.

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