What can you do with a Political Economy degree from University of California, Berkeley?

First, some facts. Of the Political Economy graduates from University of California, Berkeley 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 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, Political Economy graduates from University of California, Berkeley have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) 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 29% 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 Political Economy graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Political Economy degree from University of California, Berkeley?
• What do Political Economy graduates from University of California, Berkeley do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Political Economy degree from University of California, Berkeley? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Political Economy degree from University of California, Berkeley?
• What are the best colleges for Political Economy?

View a random Political Economy graduate from University of California, Berkeley and our analysis:

Relevance score: 87% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2011 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Economy. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Tutor After School Programs, Inc. May 2012 - Jan 2013 The role of a tutor at After School Programs, Inc. does not require specific skills or knowledge from a Political Economy degree, as it primarily focuses on general tutoring rather than political or economic concepts. Tutor and Evaluator Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Jan 2012 - Dec 2014 The job as a tutor and evaluator at Club Z! In-Home Tutoring may use some transferable skills from Political Economy, but it does not directly apply core qualifications from the degree on a daily basis. Tax Specialist 3 H&R Block Dec 2012 - Apr 2015 While a tax specialist position at H&R Block may involve some understanding of economic principles, it primarily focuses on tax preparation rather than directly utilizing knowledge from a Political Economy degree. Employment Program Representative California Employment Development Department Apr 2014 - Jul 2015 As an Employment Program Representative, this job requires knowledge of labor markets and economic principles, directly relating to the core qualifications of a degree in Political Economy. Tax Auditor California State Board of Equalization Jul 2015 - Present The role of a Tax Auditor at the California State Board of Equalization involves analyzing tax policies and regulations, directly applying knowledge gained from a Political Economy degree in practice. Tax Auditor California State Board of Equalization Jul 2015 - Present Similar to job #4, this position as a Tax Auditor involves substantial use of economic principles and policies, making it highly relevant to the individuals Bachelor's degree in Political Economy. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Accounting Yuba College 2007 - 2013 Accounting American River College 2012 - 2013 Accounting Sacramento City College 2013 - 2013 ABOUT An easy-going, motivated, and intelligent individual with great work ethics always striving to learn and develop. Have a career interest in business and accounting. Currently pursuing a CPA career and studying for the exam.

What jobs can you get with a Political Economy degree from University of California, Berkeley?

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

• Elementary School Teacher
• Sales Associate
• Customer Service Representative
• Tax Auditor
• Communications Specialist
• Special Education Classroom Assistant
• Trip Leader
• Trip Expert
• Food Server
• Sales Consultant

Looking at the job history of people who graduated with a degree in Political Economy from UC Berkeley, it seems like there’s quite the mix in terms of relevance to their field. A lot of the common roles appear to be in education, customer service, and various administrative positions. For instance, many graduates have taken on roles like tutors, customer service representatives, and administrative assistants, which don’t particularly leverage the specialized skills or knowledge from their Political Economy background. Most of these roles are more about general skills like communication and assistance rather than the deep dive into economic policies and political theories that you might expect from their studies.

On the flip side, there are indeed some standout jobs that directly align with their degree. Roles like Employment Program Representative, Tax Auditor, or Budget and Revenue Analyst involve a significant understanding of economic principles and can be seen as highly relevant applications of their education. However, these more relevant positions are mixed in with many that are not closely related. Overall, while some graduates did find meaningful connections to Political Economy in their work, a significant number of them have taken jobs that don’t fully utilize what they learned during their studies. This suggests that having a Political Economy degree might not directly lock you into relevant roles right away, at least not without some additional effort or experience in the field.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Political Economy graduates (this is across all Political Economy graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Berkeley):

What kind of career trajectories do Political Economy graduates from University of California, Berkeley have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from UC Berkeley's Political Economy program, it's clear there's a mix of paths these folks have taken after graduating. For many, the first jobs post-graduation seem to be quite varied, with some starting in roles like tutoring, sales, and customer service, which might not align directly with their degree. It’s a bit of a mixed bag; while some jumped into roles at reputable companies like Salesforce and DocuSign, others found themselves in positions that feel less connected to Political Economy, like retail or administrative roles.

Fast forward 5 to 10 years, and you can see a clearer trend towards more established and relevant positions in various sectors. Many graduates have transitioned into roles like business analysts, consultants, and program managers, which definitely leverage skills acquired during their studies. Others have taken on significant roles in education and public service, showcasing a commitment to social issues, which fits well with the Political Economy perspective. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that some paths diverged significantly from their field of study, indicating that not all graduates immediately found their niche in roles aligning with Political Economy. Overall, while there's a blend of success in related fields and some divergence from their academic focus, it provides a decent snapshot of how versatile this degree can be in today’s job market.

How hard is a Political Economy degree from University of California, Berkeley?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Economy at UC Berkeley is no walk in the park. It’s a pretty rigorous program that combines politics, economics, and social theory, so you’re looking at some heavy reading, critical thinking, and a good amount of analytical writing. The coursework can be challenging since it dives deep into complex topics like global markets, policy analysis, and the relationship between economic and political systems. Plus, Berkeley is known for its competitive environment, so you'll be surrounded by other motivated and bright students, which can ramp up the challenge even more. If you're genuinely interested in the subject and willing to put in the effort, you'll find it rewarding, but don’t expect it to be one of those easy, breezy degrees.

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 Political Economy.

Do Political Economy graduates from University of California, Berkeley tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Political Economy grads from UC Berkeley, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well financially while others are still finding their way. For the earlier graduates, roles like Tax Auditor and Business Analyst often pay well, suggesting they likely have decent incomes, especially after building experience. However, some grads started in lower-paying positions like tutoring or sales, which might not have set them up for financial success right away. For the 2020s grads, a mix of entry-level and more skilled roles appears, with some promising positions in law and finance that could lead to good pay down the road. Overall, while there’s definitely a range, it looks like a number of these grads are on a solid path to making decent money, especially as they gain experience.

What buzzwords do Political Economy 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 Political Economy (this is across all Political Economy graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Berkeley). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Political Economy?

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

College	Score	Count
University of California, Berkeley	41	17