Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Government 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 78 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Government graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 51% 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 Government graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Government. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONConsulting Analyst Huron Jul 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates who majored in Government from various institutions, it's clear that there are several common trends in their job trajectories. Many individuals found positions in legal settings, public service, and research roles, which significantly align with their academic background. For example, roles such as Legal Interns or Research Associates prominently featured across these profiles, with many graduates successfully obtaining internships at governmental agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice or the United States Senate. These positions not only directly utilize the principles of governance and law learned during their studies but also pave the way for long-term careers within the realm of public service or law.
However, despite these strong connections in many profiles, there were also numerous instances where individuals pursued careers that were less directly associated with their Government degree. Many graduates transitioned into roles in the finance, marketing, or technology sectors, which do not necessarily draw upon the content and skills developed in their academic programs. For instance, several individuals worked in sales, project management, or as analysts in non-governmental contexts, demonstrating that while a Government degree can provide a competitive advantage in public service, it can also lead to diverse career paths that may be entirely unrelated to government or political studies. In summary, while there is a significant number of graduates who have leveraged their Government degrees in relevant roles, a considerable portion also navigates a wide array of careers that do not directly reflect their academic training in government.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Government graduates:
Based on the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with degrees in Government from various colleges, it seems that these graduates generally have diverse experiences and outcomes. Many of them initially pursue internships or entry-level positions right after graduating, particularly in law and policy-related roles. For instance, recent graduates from Dartmouth College have landed legal internships at recognized institutions like the U.S. Department of Justice. This shows a trend where first jobs are often internships that are closely tied to government or legal work, which is a good starting point for building a relevant career in the field of Government.
However, the career trajectory varies greatly depending on the individual and their chosen institution. Graduates from prestigious schools like Harvard often have smoother transitions into robust positions, quickly climbing the corporate ladder in consulting or law firms. For example, one graduate who started as an analyst has worked up to being an Associate at a prominent law firm in a few short years. On the flip side, some graduates from institutions like the University of Texas at Austin have followed unconventional paths. They’ve taken roles not directly related to Government initially—like a scorer at a testing company or even a seamstress—before eventually finding positions in more relevant fields such as project management or policy analysis.
Five or ten years down the line, it appears more of these graduates find themselves in significant roles related to Government or legal practices, especially those who took the necessary internships and networking opportunities seriously. For instance, several alumni who initially started as interns have transitioned into managerial roles, such as project manager or consultant positions. Others, like those who pursued legal careers, have moved into prestigious law firms or governmental agencies, showcasing a successful alignment with their academic background. That said, there are also individuals whose careers drift away from the Government sphere altogether, hinting at a mixed bag of outcomes based on personal choices and situational factors.
Overall, it seems graduates with a degree in Government can have solid career trajectories in relevant fields, especially if they leverage internships and networking. With the right experiences, they can land impressive positions that align with their education. However, there are some who take more circuitous routes that challenge the notion of a direct path from Government education to a Government career. This highlights the diverse nature of career paths available to graduates and that success can mean different things to different people.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Government can be a mix of both easy and challenging, depending on your interests and strengths. If you love discussing politics, history, and social issues, you might find it more on the easier side because you'll enjoy what you're learning. However, there's definitely a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking involved, especially when diving into theories, policies, and case studies. Overall, I'd say it's about average in difficulty compared to other liberal arts degrees; it can be manageable if you stay organized and engaged with the material, but don't underestimate the workload either!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Government.
Alright, so let's break this down a bit. Generally speaking, you can tell that the people who went to schools like Harvard, Dartmouth, and Cornell tend to land pretty decent jobs, especially on the higher end of the pay scale. For example, one grad from Harvard is working as a Senior Manager at Deloitte, which is a pretty lucrative position. Even those just starting out, like the recent Dartmouth grads, have solid internships at government entities and law firms, which generally leads to well-paying jobs down the line. So it looks like they’re on the right track to make good money.
On the other hand, some of the grads with more varied job experiences, like those from The University of Texas at Austin, have taken some less traditional paths that might not pay as much initially. For example, someone working as a seamstress or in cricket farming doesn't scream high salary, but they might find their way into more stable or better-paying roles later on. Overall, it seems like a good chunk of these graduates have set themselves up for decent earnings, especially those with law backgrounds or roles at high-profile consulting or financial firms.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Government. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Government (ordered by the average relevance score of their Government graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 The University of Texas at Austin
|
68 | 12 |
 Harvard University
|
64 | 15 |