First, some facts. Of the American Government and Politics (United States) graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 58 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, American Government and Politics (United States) graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 48% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a American Government and Politics (United States) graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 45%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from The Catholic University of America with a Bachelor's degree in American Government and Politics (United States). Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGovernment Relations and Advocacy InternHabitat for Humanity International Jan 2014 - May 2014 AS&F Student Government Program Assistant Adams State University Aug 2014 - May 2015 Admissions Counselor Earlham College Jul 2015 - Jun 2017 Assistant Director Of Admissions Earlham College Jul 2017 - Oct 2017 Admission and Financial Aid Counselor University of Dayton Oct 2017 - Aug 2019 Law Clerk GE Aviation Jun 2020 - May 2021 Legal Clerk Sebaly Shillito + Dyer, A Legal Professional Association May 2021 - Oct 2022 Corporate Attorney Sebaly Shillito + Dyer, A Legal Professional Association Oct 2022 - Dec 2023 Assistant General Counsel Premier Health Partners Dec 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMasters DegreeAdams State University 2014 - 2017 Doctor of Law - JD University of Dayton School of Law 2019 - 2022 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the career paths of individuals who have graduated with a degree in American Government and Politics, it becomes clear that a variety of jobs have been pursued, with varying degrees of relevance to their fields of study. The most common types of roles appearing in the profiles include positions within government agencies, legal roles, campaign-related jobs, and positions in political communications or research. Many of these positions leverage skills and knowledge obtained during their academic journey, while others appear to shift significantly away from the direct application of their studies.
For instance, many graduates find themselves in roles like legislative analysts, legal clerks, and campaign interns, which directly apply their understanding of governmental processes and political dynamics. Jobs such as an Assistant District Attorney or a Campaign Manager are heavily rooted in American government principles and allow graduates to utilize their expertise on a daily basis. However, there are also graduates who end up in positions that are less connected, such as sales, customer service, or roles in unrelated fields like hospitality. These roles, while they might employ soft skills such as communication or organization, lack the political context that defines their degree's focus.
Overall, while many of these jobs illustrate a strong relevance to American Government and Politics, there remains a notable number of roles that do not align as closely with their educational background. Graduates should consider how their experiences and skills can be reoriented to align them more closely with their degree's objectives, particularly in an ever-diversifying job market. Exploring connections in fields like public policy, law, or community engagement can enhance their career paths and yield a more gratifying application of their academic knowledge.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for American Government and Politics (United States) graduates:
Analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates with degrees in American Government and Politics reveals some interesting trends in career trajectories. Many of these individuals tend to start their careers in positions that give them direct exposure to political processes, government agencies, or related fields. For example, recent graduates often take on internships in governmental offices or legislative bodies, such as the internship with Congressman Jamie Raskin, or in political campaigns, as seen with the campaign intern positions held by others. This initial phase usually includes roles like administrative assistants, interns, or entry-level positions that help them gain experience tied to their field of study.
Fast forward five or ten years, and the picture starts to become more diverse. Some graduates have indeed followed promising paths directly connected to American Government, securing roles as legal assistants, government analysts, or attorneys. For instance, graduates from institutions like the University of Maryland and Ursinus College have landed positions as Assistant United States Attorneys, while others have gone on to join consulting firms or law firms where they can leverage their political background. However, it's also essential to note that not all trajectories follow this linear or "successful" path tied to their degree. Some individuals have moved into unrelated fields or positions far removed from politics, such as those working in customer service, food service, or other sectors like the business or arts. This showcases that while a degree in American Government and Politics tends to provide strong foundational skills, the actual career paths taken can be quite varied, leading some graduates away from their initial focus on political science.
Overall, it seems there are mixed results for individuals with degrees in American Government and Politics. Many do find meaningful roles within government or related sectors that align closely with their educational background, but there's also a chunk of graduates whose careers veer into completely different areas, indicating a competitive job market or personal career choices that may not strictly adhere to their academic training. Ultimately, these profiles highlight the complexity and unpredictability of career paths post-graduation, emphasizing that while many graduates find relevant work, others may struggle to connect their degree with their professional lives.
A Bachelor’s degree in American Government and Politics is generally considered to be on the moderate side in terms of difficulty. While it does involve a fair amount of reading, writing, and understanding complex political theories, it's not necessarily the most grueling path out there. If you enjoy discussing current events, analyzing policies, and diving into the history of the U.S. government, you'll likely find it pretty engaging. That said, like any college degree, it does require commitment and some critical thinking skills, so if you’re someone who’s willing to put in the effort, you should be just fine! Overall, it’s not the easiest but definitely not the hardest either.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in American Government and Politics (United States).
Looking at the jobs these graduates have had, it seems like some have managed to find pretty decent income potential, while others may not be seeing as much success financially. For example, graduates working in law-related fields or positions like legislative analysts often can step into roles with solid salaries, especially if they continue to move up the ladder. The person graduating from the University of Virginia who is now a litigation associate likely has a good salary, indicating that they made some smart choices early on. However, others, like those in entry-level or administrative roles, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. Jobs like podcast associate producer or administrative assistant tend to pay less, at least at the beginning.
Additionally, there are some graduates who have been more strategic with their career paths, moving into roles with government or reputable organizations, which usually have steadily increasing salaries and benefits. On the other hand, positions that are more service-oriented or internships may not have as lucrative payoffs immediately. It's all about how these individuals leverage their experiences and connections going forward. Overall, while some graduates look like they'll be comfortable, others might need to hustle a bit more to really cash in on their degrees.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in American Government and Politics (United States). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in American Government and Politics (United States) (ordered by the average relevance score of their American Government and Politics (United States) graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: