What can you do with a History, Political Science degree?

First, some facts. Of the History, 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 51 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, History, Political Science graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 61% 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 History, Political Science graduate.

See the details:

View a random History, Political Science graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 89%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from The Ohio State University with a Honors Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Magna Cum Laude in History, Political Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Intern
Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus
Jan 2014 - May 2014
The internship at Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus does not specifically utilize skills or knowledge directly related to History or Political Science in a significant way, as it focuses on legislative tasks rather than academic studies.

Intern
Open Boulder
May 2015 - Aug 2015
The internship at Open Boulder primarily involves community-based work not directly tied to historical or political analysis, rendering it unrelated to the core qualifications of the bachelor's degree.

Law Clerk
City of Lakewood Police Department
May 2015 - May 2016
The Law Clerk position at the City of Lakewood Police Department involves direct application of legal knowledge, relevant to the Political Science aspect of the degree, especially skills in understanding governance and law enforcement.

Legal Extern
Jefferson County Attorney's Office
Jan 2016 - May 2016
The Legal Extern role at Jefferson County Attorney's Office directly applies legal knowledge and critical understanding of governmental processes, aligning well with the Political Science component of the bachelor's degree.

Law Clerk
Boulder County Attorney's Office
May 2016 - May 2017
As a Law Clerk at Boulder County Attorney's Office, this position involves the application of legal principles and practices, which is fundamentally relevant to both History and Political Science studies.

Judicial Law Clerk, Honorable Tamara S. Russell
Colorado Judicial Branch
Aug 2017 - Mar 2019
The Judicial Law Clerk position with Honorable Tamara S. Russell at the Colorado Judicial Branch requires a solid understanding of law and court processes, which are directly linked to the skills developed in a Political Science program.

Assistant City Attorney
Commerce City
Mar 2019 - May 2022
The role of Assistant City Attorney at Commerce City necessitates knowledge of municipal law and governance, reflecting the core competencies gained from a Political Science education.

Assistant City Attorney / Prosecutor, Criminal Division
City of Aurora
Dec 2022 - Apr 2023
As an Assistant City Attorney / Prosecutor in the Criminal Division at the City of Aurora, the position requires substantial application of legal and judicial knowledge relevant to political structures, thereby aligning with the degree.

Solo Law Practice
Self-employed
May 2023 - Oct 2023
The solo law practice may utilize broad legal knowledge and some historical context, but it does not directly leverage specific skills developed from the bachelor's degree in a consistent manner.

Outside Services/Pro Shop Attendant
The Club at Rolling Hills
Jul 2023 - Oct 2023
Working as an Outside Services/Pro Shop Attendant at The Club at Rolling Hills does not involve skills or knowledge related to History or Political Science, making it irrelevant to the degree.

Judicial Law Clerk, the Honorable Tamara S. Russell
Colorado Judicial Branch
Oct 2023 - Present
The second Judicial Law Clerk role with the Honorable Tamara S. Russell reinforces legal and political analytical skills directly relevant to the Political Science background.

Associate Attorney
Allen & Curry, P.C.
Jun 2024 - Present
As an Associate Attorney at Allen & Curry, P.C., this position applies both legal and political knowledge, making it highly relevant and reflective of the qualifications derived from the bachelor's degree in Political Science.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Law (J.D.)
University of Colorado School of Law
2014 - 2017
ABOUT

Attorney, snowboarder, golfer, coffee lover, tortured Cleveland sports fan, cat father.

What jobs can you get with a History, Political Science degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the diverse job paths taken by graduates with degrees in History and Political Science, it's clear that there are some common trends. A significant number of these individuals have gone into roles related to the legal field, such as Law Clerks, Legal Interns, and various positions within government and public policy. Jobs in the legal system and advocacy sectors seem to leverage their educational background effectively, particularly aligning with political science. For instance, positions like Judge Advocates, Policy Analysts, and roles in government offices showcase a clear connection to their studies, particularly in political structures, legal principles, and historical contexts.

However, not all roles are as directly related. Some graduates ended up in jobs that have little to do with History or Political Science, like various positions in retail management, customer service, or administrative tasks. These roles often seem to prioritize skills that can be picked up outside of academic study, such as management or sales abilities, rather than the critical analysis and contextual understanding cultivated through a History and Political Science education. In summary, while a solid number of graduates found roles deeply connected to their fields, a significant portion ended up in positions that do not utilize their specialized academic skills, suggesting that further exploration of job relevance may be needed.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for History, Political Science graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do History, Political Science graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Alright, so let’s break down what these grads in History and Political Science have been up to career-wise. A lot of them seem to kick off their professional lives with internships and entry-level positions in the legal field, education, or nonprofits. For instance, many got their feet wet with internships like legal externships or internships in public policy, which makes sense since these fields often value real-world experience. Over the first few years, a good number of these graduates transitioned into positions like legal assistants, policy analysts, or roles in education, showing that they’re utilizing their degrees to stay connected to history and political contexts.

Fast forward about five to ten years down the line, and the career paths tend to diverge a bit. Many have moved into more substantial roles, particularly in law, government, or non-profit organizations, while some have taken on teaching positions or transitioned into related fields like data analysis or corporate settings. You’ll find some have climbed the ladder in law firms or government offices, often landing roles like attorneys or directors of various initiatives. On the flip side, others have ended up in roles that, while not directly related to their majors, still draw on their analytical skills or communication prowess developed in their studies. So, while there are definitely success stories and many who remain in relevant fields, there are those who have ended up in careers that don’t directly tie back to history or political science. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, with a lot of potential to carve out meaningful careers in various sectors!

How hard is a History, Political Science degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in History or Political Science can be a mix of challenging and manageable, depending on your interests and strengths. If you love reading, writing, and diving into complex ideas, you might find it pretty engaging, but be prepared to tackle a lot of reading and analysis. There might be some tough moments, especially with research papers and interpreting theories, but it's not like you're climbing Mount Everest here! Generally, it's considered somewhat easier than degrees in the hard sciences or engineering, but it definitely requires dedication and a good amount of critical thinking skills to really excel.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History, Political Science.

Do History, Political Science graduates tend to make good money?

When looking at these profiles, it seems like the financial outcomes vary quite a bit among these history and political science graduates. For example, the individual from King’s College, who’s worked in legal roles and is currently with the Department of Justice, likely has a solid earning potential, especially since legal careers can be pretty lucrative. On the flip side, someone like the Marquette University grad has taken on a patchwork of roles in the arts and humanities, which typically pay less than legal or governmental positions, so they might not be making as much.

Similarly, the graduate from Washington University has moved into a managing director role and has gained relevant experience in energy policy, indicating a good earning trajectory. In contrast, those from more teaching-focused or non-profit backgrounds may not see high salaries right away, especially early in their careers. Overall, while some of these grads appear to be on paths toward decent salaries, others might find it more challenging to break into higher-paying roles just based on the nature of their experiences and fields.

What buzzwords do History, Political Science graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in History, Political Science. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for History, Political Science?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in History, Political Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their History, Political Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count