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First, some facts. Of the 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 1349 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Political Science graduates have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, 53% 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 Political Science graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 30% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Political Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGeneral Services Administrative Assistant Stokes Lawrence, P.S. Oct 2022 - Jun 2023 Flight Attendant  Alaska Airlines Aug 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 a plethora of LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with political science degrees, it's quite clear that the most common jobs held by these graduates tend to fall within the spheres of law, government, and policy. Roles like Legal Intern, Law Clerk, Legislative Assistant, and various positions related to public policy consistently appear across many profiles. This trend highlights a strong connection between a political science education and a career path rooted in understanding and engaging with political structures and governance.
As we dive deeper into the relevance of their careers to political science, it's evident that many of these roles are either directly related or at least tangentially connected to the core themes of the discipline. For instance, positions like Judicial Intern and Associate Attorney call upon the legal frameworks and analytical skills advocated in political science curricula. Similarly, roles such as Legislative Assistant and Policy Analyst are grounded in the knowledge of legislative processes and policy-making. However, a significant portion of graduates has also ventured into jobs where their political science background is less applicable. For instance, roles in sales, customer service, or even hospitality tend to disconnect from the political science field.
Overall, while a solid number of political science graduates secure roles highly relevant to their education, there's also a considerable number that diverges into fields where their degree's core competencies aren't engaged daily. This mix indicates that while a degree in political science can provide a strong foundation for careers within law and government, it's not the only path. Graduates must navigate their own interests and opportunities, which can sometimes lead them far from a political sphere. So, while many jobs are indeed relevant to political science, there's still a noticeable trend towards more commercial or administrative roles in the job market for others. This variety reflects the diverse job landscape that awaits graduates, which can be both exciting and daunting as they step into their professional lives.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Political Science graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of individuals with a degree in Political Science reveals a complex landscape of paths taken since graduation. For many, the immediate post-graduate experience often begins with internships or entry-level positions that provide a bridge to more established roles over time. Some graduates work in areas closely aligned with their studies, notably in government roles, legal positions, or political organizations. Others venture into fields that may seem distant from political science, indicating a diverse application of skills learned during their education.
For instance, many graduates' first jobs are internships or assistant roles. These individuals often capitalize on their academic knowledge of governance and policy during their early employment stages. As seen in the sample, many graduates immediately take roles in legislative offices, advocacy groups, or legal intern positions. For instance, a recent graduate from the University of Georgia held an intern position at the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp, followed by more roles in prominent organizations such as The Heritage Foundation. This trend is consistent across various schools – graduates often start as research assistants, coordinating interns, or legislative aides. Within five to ten years, a significant portion has transitioned into more substantial roles, such as legislative directors, managers, or even starting their firms.
However, not all trajectories are as linear or successful. Some graduates find themselves in jobs that don’t directly relate to political science. For example, the analysis shows some individuals from political science backgrounds working as customer service representatives or in sales. This indicates that while their degree may not directly lead them into political roles, the skills acquired, such as critical thinking, communication, and analytical abilities, are valuable in various fields. Conversely, some graduates make substantial strides, landing significant roles in government or influential law firms as they accumulate experience and leverage networking opportunities.
In summary, while many Political Science graduates find relevant and rewarding careers shortly after graduation, others may struggle or choose paths outside of politics or law. The common thread, however, is that the adaptive skills developed through their studies enable a diverse range of career options. For high school students considering this major, it's important to recognize both the potential and the challenges and to envision a broad spectrum of career possibilities that extend beyond just traditional roles in government or law.
A Bachelor’s degree in Political Science can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, if you enjoy reading, writing, and discussing big ideas about government and society, you might find it pretty manageable. There’s a lot of reading assignments and essays, so if that’s not your thing, it might feel more challenging. Some courses can dive deep into theories and require critical thinking, which can be tough for some. But overall, it’s not considered one of the hardest degrees out there; a lot of people find it interesting, and if you stay on top of your work, you can definitely handle it! Just be ready to engage with current events and maybe a few debates along the way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science.
From what I can gather from these LinkedIn profiles, it looks like some of these graduates have done pretty well in their careers, landing roles that could potentially bring in a decent paycheck. For instance, many of them have progressed into solid legal or political positions, which typically pay well with experience. For example, the graduates from prestigious universities like Yale and Stanford have jobs that align with high-paying professions such as legal associates or policy directors, suggesting a good income range.
On the flip side, some profiles show a pattern of short-term roles or jobs in lower-paying sectors, particularly in customer service or administrative roles. These may not offer as lucrative a salary especially for recent graduates or those who took on roles out of college without much progression in the types of positions. It’s a mixed bag, really. The better-paying jobs seem to come with time and experience, especially in fields like law or government where initial internships and clerking positions can lead to more financially stable roles down the line. So while some are definitely on a solid financial track, others might still be figuring things out in the workforce.
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 Science. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Political Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Political Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of California, Berkeley
|
82 | 12 |
 The George Washington University
|
80 | 10 |
 Florida State University
|
79 | 10 |
 University of California, Riverside
|
79 | 10 |
 Texas A&M University
|
77 | 12 |
 University of California, Davis
|
75 | 10 |
 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
|
74 | 11 |
 Georgia State University
|
74 | 12 |
 University of Connecticut
|
70 | 12 |
 The Ohio State University
|
66 | 15 |
 University of Central Florida
|
64 | 10 |
 University of Washington
|
60 | 10 |
 University of California, Los Angeles
|
59 | 15 |
 University of Michigan
|
57 | 12 |
 Penn State University
|
54 | 11 |
 Arizona State University
|
52 | 14 |
 Northeastern University
|
49 | 10 |
 University of Oregon
|
46 | 12 |