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First, some facts. Of the Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates from Portland State University 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 48%, Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates from Portland State University have a much lower likelihood (-19%) 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, only 14% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Liberal Arts And Sciences. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSales And Service Associate MERIWETHER FIELD GEAR LLC Aug 2018 - Feb 2020 Shift Supervisor Lovejoy Bakers Jul 2019 - Dec 2020 ABOUTIm an aspiring vocal musician with over 17 years of experience under my belt. I have sung in professional choirs since the age of 9; most recently as a member of the award winning Portland State Chamber Choir and local octet MOTUS. I have traveled to participate in and win choral competitions over the world, as well as sung backup for seasoned professionals such as The Tenors and even Josh Groban.Though my activities clearly show my passion for music and performance, I also have a love for baking. I am currently aspiring to start my own small business from my kitchen, and have enjoyed beginning this journey into entrepreneurship. I am an enthusiastic, kind and hardworking person with a specific eye for inclusive and personal connections. I believe all people deserve to be treated with respect, and that BIPOC Lives Matter. I hope to be an important part of something great, and aspire to be a meaningful addition to any workspace. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the profiles analyzed, it seems like many graduates from Portland State University with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences have ventured into a wide range of jobs, but not all of them utilize their degree directly. A common theme is that many are in management or operational roles, like General Manager, Director of Operations, or Chief Operations Officer, where some skills like leadership and critical thinking are beneficial, even if they aren't specifically tied to liberal arts coursework. Meanwhile, roles in customer service and sales—such as Sales Representative or Customer Service Representative—are also frequent among these graduates. Unfortunately, for many of these positions, the connection to their Liberal Arts degree seems pretty thin; they often require general communication or interpersonal skills rather than specialized knowledge.
However, there are exceptions. Positions like Social Worker or Crisis Intervention Specialist show that when graduates enter fields related to social services or mental health, their studies have clear relevance. Also, teaching roles directly apply the knowledge gained from a Liberal Arts and Sciences education, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and a broad understanding of diverse subjects. Overall, while many jobs taken up by these graduates might not be directly related to their degree, the skills obtained through a liberal arts education, such as communication and analytical thinking, certainly help in various capacities. It’s a mixed bag, really—a lot of doors can open with a liberal arts degree, but the connection to the actual field of study isn’t always strong in practice.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates (this is across all Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Portland State University):
Graduates from Portland State University's Liberal Arts and Sciences program have shown a pretty mixed bag of career trajectories. Right out of school, many of them jump into roles that seem to focus on management, customer service, or administrative tasks. For example, one graduate became a General Manager at a chain store, while another started as a merchandiser. These initial jobs often revolve around gaining practical experience and developing skills that might be learned in a liberal arts curriculum, like communication and problem-solving. However, several have transitioned into more specialized positions over time, such as directors or even social workers, which shows a potential trend of moving towards more meaningful and impactful roles within their communities.
As graduates hit the five- to ten-year mark, there’s a noticeable shift. Some stay in the same field, moving up the ladder into managerial or director-level positions, indicating that the skills gained during their studies are relevant and adaptable to various industries. Others have taken their liberal arts foundation into totally different waters, like social work or education, which makes sense given the focus on understanding human behavior and society. On the downside, some paths don't seem directly related to their degree, with roles that might feel disconnected from the liberal arts sphere. Overall, while there are graduates carving out successful paths related to their studies, there are also those who have entered jobs that may not fully utilize their liberal arts education, leading to a bit of a mixed outcome.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty, and it often depends on your personal strengths and interests. At Portland State University, you’ll find that the workload is pretty manageable, with a good mix of required courses and electives that let you explore different subjects. If you enjoy reading, writing, and engaging in discussions, you might find it easier than other fields that are more technical. But if you're not into those things, some courses can feel a bit challenging. Overall, it leans towards being more accessible than some of the rigorous STEM degrees, but like anything, you’ll still need to put in the effort to get through it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts And Sciences.
Looking at these graduates from Portland State University, it seems like some of them have really found their groove and are likely making decent money, while others took a more winding path that might not be as lucrative. The first grad, for example, climbed the corporate ladder to COO, which probably comes with a nice paycheck. Meanwhile, the folks in the AmeriCorps roles may have started with lower earnings in service-oriented jobs. Some of the newer grads are still figuring things out, like the one working as a hostess and then catering coordinator, which might not make great money initially. Overall, it looks like there’s a mix – some are doing quite well and moving into solid positions, while others might still be working their way up the pay scale. It's a diverse set of experiences!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts And Sciences (this is across all Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Portland State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts And Sciences (ordered by the average relevance score of their Liberal Arts And Sciences graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Fresno Pacific University
|
89 | 10 |
 California State University - East Bay
|
77 | 10 |
 Sonoma State University
|
73 | 11 |
 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
|
71 | 10 |
 California State University, Fresno
|
66 | 13 |
 Florida International University
|
61 | 16 |
 California State University San Marcos
|
58 | 10 |
 Arizona State University
|
52 | 15 |
 Portland State University
|
48 | 14 |
 Excelsior College
|
47 | 46 |
 Thomas Edison State University
|
44 | 16 |