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First, some facts. Of the Economics and Political Science 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 68 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Economics and Political Science graduates have a slightly higher 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, 58% 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 Economics and Political Science graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 37% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Economics and Political Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONHome Mortgage Consultant Wells Fargo Apr 2021 - Feb 2022 Demand Planning Analyst  Best Buy Feb 2022 - May 2022 Demand Planning Analyst - Premium Gaming Laptops Best Buy May 2022 - Oct 2023 Demand Planning Analyst - Premium TVs Best Buy Oct 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the career paths of individuals who majored in Economics and Political Science, it’s clear that many of them have gravitated towards roles that leverage their analytical skills and understanding of complex systems. Analyzing the LinkedIn profiles, it becomes evident that the most common types of jobs these graduates have taken up fall significantly within the legal and consulting fields. Positions such as legal associates, consultants at firms like PwC and Accenture, and roles within governmental bodies seem to dominate the landscape post-graduation. Particularly, many have engaged in legal internships and roles where knowledge of legal principles coupled with an understanding of political systems provides a distinct advantage.
However, while many of these positions display a clear connection to the skills learned during their studies, a substantial number of roles, especially in consulting and legal sectors, often draw more from analytical and business skills than from a deep integration of political science or economics. For instance, roles such as a financial analyst or a business consultant may leverage some aspects of the education but often do not require the comprehensive application of political theory or economic models. Similarly, jobs like those in administrative or service-oriented positions show limited relevance to the core curriculum of their degrees. Overall, while there's a positive trend toward relevant employment, as many pursue careers in legal and policy-driven environments, there remains a noticeable faction whose positions, despite appearing prestigious, might not fully utilize the nuanced insights gained from their academic paths.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Economics and Political Science graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Economics and Political Science reveals some interesting trends. Many of these individuals are landing roles that are quite relevant to their fields of study right after graduation, often in positions such as consultant roles at major firms like Deloitte, PwC, and Accenture, or in capacities that involve legal work. For example, a graduate from the University of Chicago went on to be an associate at prestigious law firms and eventually found a position at Shopify. Similarly, graduates from universities like Rutgers and Bucknell took on legal internships and analytic roles that lean heavily on their academic backgrounds. It’s evident that a good number of these graduates are not only finding employment soon after graduation but are also progressing into positions that leverage their degrees well.
However, the picture isn't uniformly rosy. While many are moving into roles that relate back to their studies, there’s a considerable portion of graduates who seem to drift away from Economics and Political Science into sectors that may not utilize their education as effectively. For instance, some graduates from smaller or lesser-known colleges have taken jobs in retail or administrative roles that don't obviously connect to Economics or Political Science. In fact, it appears that some graduates are going through a phase of trial and error in finding suitable positions, showing up in diverse fields including bar work, talent management, or even teaching, which may not directly align with their academic credentials. Alongside this, various roles that involve teaching or community service suggest that while these graduates might not be in "traditional" economics or political roles, they are still contributing their skills in other meaningful ways.
Looking at the long-term trajectories, after about 5 to 10 years, many graduates seem to have either settled into specialized roles directly related to their fields, such as legal and consulting positions, or shifted into managerial roles in various sectors. Individuals often find themselves suited for roles in government, non-profits, or analytical functions within businesses. The diversity in career paths indicates adaptability among these graduates, but it’s also important to discern that the connections back to their degrees begin to fade with certain individuals as they accumulate experience in roles that deviate from their original trajectories. Overall, while a solid chunk of graduates heads into careers that harness their education in Economics and Political Science effectively, there are many who stray into unrelated fields, suggesting that the degree is versatile but can lead to varied outcomes depending on individual choices and market conditions.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it's not the hardest either—it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you enjoy working with numbers and thinking critically about society, you might find it pretty engaging, but if you're not into stats or theoretical concepts, it could feel like a grind. There’s a fair amount of reading, writing, and analysis involved, so if you’re not a fan of those tasks, it might seem tougher than some other majors. Overall, it’s challenging but manageable, especially if you stay on top of your workload and genuinely invest in what you’re learning.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science.
When looking at the career paths of these graduates, it seems that several of them, particularly those from prestigious schools like the University of Chicago and University of California, San Diego, have landed jobs in high-paying sectors such as law and consulting. For instance, the graduate from the University of Chicago who worked at big law firms like Sidley Austin and eventually became Associate General Counsel at Shopify is likely earning a solid six-figure salary now. Similarly, graduates from firms like Deloitte and Accenture usually have good earning potential, especially in management consulting roles. Overall, those who have entered finance or high-end legal roles seem to be making decent money.
On the flip side, some graduates, especially those in public service roles or positions like teaching and community outreach, may not be seeing quite the same financial rewards. For instance, the graduate from Howard University who took on several temporary or lower-paying roles like enumerator and fellowships in non-profits might not be making much in comparison. While these jobs can be fulfilling and impactful, they often don’t come with the same financial benefits as those in corporate or high-powered legal sectors. So, it really varies depending on the field and the level of the roles they've attained post-graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Economics and Political Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: