What can you do with a Political Science And Government degree from American University?

First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from American 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 27 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Political Science And Government graduates from American University have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
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, 40% 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 And Government graduate.

See the details:

View a random Political Science And Government graduate from American University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 82%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from American University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Political Science And Government. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Poll Worker - Early Voting/ General Election
City of Worcester
Oct 2020 - Nov 2021
Working as a poll worker involves understanding of the electoral process, which relates to political science, but does not substantially engage the core skills or knowledge developed during the degree.

Syndication Assistant
RealClearFoundation
Nov 2020 - May 2021
The position of Syndication Assistant may involve some understanding of political context, but it primarily focuses on media operations rather than the core qualifications of political science.

Communications and Program Manager
RealClearFoundation
Jun 2021 - Mar 2022
As Communications and Program Manager, the role requires significant knowledge of political science principles to develop communications strategies and manage programs effectively, making it highly relevant to the degree.

Digital Cohot Member
National Democratic Training Committee
Jan 2022 - Mar 2022
Being a Digital Cohort Member at the National Democratic Training Committee directly applies political science knowledge to train candidates and campaign staff in political strategies, hence it is very relevant.

Social Media Manager
Sara Rodriguez for Wisconsin
Aug 2022 - Nov 2022
As a Social Media Manager for Sara Rodriguez, the job directly connects political campaign strategies with social media engagement, utilizing political science knowledge in a practical context.

Digital Content Manager
Tony for Wisconsin
Apr 2022 - Dec 2022
The Digital Content Manager position for Tony for Wisconsin requires extensive understanding of political narratives and strategies, making it highly relevant to the political science degree.

Digital Content Associate
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
Apr 2023 - Jun 2023
In the role of Digital Content Associate at LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, the individual would likely use political knowledge to craft messages that resonate with voters on LGBTQ+ issues, demonstrating a high degree of relevance.

Deputy Digital Director
Brandon Presley for Governor
Jun 2023 - Nov 2023
As Deputy Digital Director for Brandon Presley, the position involves managing digital strategy in a political context, directly applying the skills and knowledge gained from a political science degree.

Senior Digital Fundraising Manager
Rosen for Nevada
Jan 2024 - Present
The role of Senior Digital Fundraising Manager for Rosen for Nevada directly involves political fundraising strategies, utilizing knowledge from political science on how to effectively engage with constituents and mobilize support.

ABOUT

Most recently served as the Digital Content Manager for WI Governor Tony Ever's reelection campaign.

What jobs can you get with a Political Science And Government degree from American University?

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


When looking at the types of jobs people with a Political Science and Government degree from American University have landed, it’s clear that many have gravitated towards roles in politics, government, and advocacy. Common positions include Field Organizers, Legislative Assistants, Policy Consultants, and Communications Directors, among others. These jobs typically require a solid understanding of political processes, legislative frameworks, or advocacy strategies, making them highly relevant to what they studied. For instance, many graduates worked directly in campaigns or for advocacy organizations, which align closely with the curriculum of their degree programs.

However, not everyone went straight into political roles. Some alumni pursued paths that stray quite a bit from political science, like roles in marketing, finance, or even personal training. These jobs may utilize soft skills like communication or organizational abilities, but they don’t leverage the deeper political knowledge gained from their studies. In general, while a significant number of graduates found work that connects with their education, there are also many who ended up in positions where their degree had little to do with their daily tasks. So, it’s a mixed bag—quite a few are right where their degree prepared them to be, but others took more unconventional routes that don't directly tie back to Political Science and Government.

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

What kind of career trajectories do Political Science And Government graduates from American University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates of American University with a degree in Political Science and Government tend to follow a range of career paths that can be quite impactful, especially in the realm of public service, policy, and politics. For many, their first job out of college often revolves around internships or entry-level roles within government agencies, political campaigns, or non-profit organizations. This is quite common, as many alumni start off as field organizers, interns for congressional representatives, or program coordinators in various advocacy groups. These initial positions often lay the groundwork for more focused careers in policy analysis, legislative assistance, or community advocacy.

Fast forward five or ten years, and you'll find a good number of these graduates advancing into significant roles. Many have transitioned into higher-level positions within government, such as policy advisors or managers in non-profit organizations. Others have found success in legal sectors, often becoming associates at reputable law firms or holding advisory roles within government regulatory agencies. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; there are also graduates who veer off into less related fields like marketing or property management. Overall, while many have thriving careers aligned with their degrees, there are also those who may have not stuck to the trajectory most closely tied to Political Science and Government, demonstrating that success can look quite different for everyone in this field.

How hard is a Political Science And Government degree from American University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government can vary in difficulty, but at American University, you'll find that it’s definitely more on the challenging side, especially if you're genuinely interested in the subject. The coursework involves a lot of reading, critical thinking, and understanding complex theories and issues, which can be pretty intense. You'll likely encounter some tough assignments and need to stay on top of current events and political trends, but if you're passionate about politics, it can be really rewarding. Overall, it's not the easiest degree out there, but if you're willing to engage and put in the effort, you’ll likely find it manageable and even enjoyable!

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 Science And Government.

Do Political Science And Government graduates from American University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Political Science and Government grads from American University, it seems like they've landed some decent jobs but may not all be raking in big bucks right off the bat. Many of them started in internships or entry-level positions, which is pretty typical—think of it like a stepping stone in their careers. Over time, especially those who climbed their way up in organizations like Planned Parenthood or the government, seem to have found better-paying roles. Those who ended up in law or in high-level governmental positions, like working with NASA, probably pocket a nice salary. However, there are quite a few in more entry-level or nonprofit roles, where salaries can be lower. Overall, it looks like they have solid opportunities but aren’t all making bank just yet—it's a mixed bag!

What buzzwords do Political Science And Government 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 Science And Government (this is across all Political Science And Government graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to American University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Political Science And Government?

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

College Score Count
The University of Alabama 83 16
New York University 79 11
San Diego State University 79 14
University of Notre Dame 79 13
University of California, Berkeley 78 28
Georgetown University 77 10
The George Washington University 76 20
University of Maryland College Park 75 10
Rutgers University 75 15
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 74 10
University at Albany, SUNY 72 13
John Jay College (CUNY) 72 11
The Catholic University of America 72 10
University of Michigan 71 18
Santa Clara University 71 10
University of Florida 69 28
California State University-Sacramento 69 15
University of Missouri-Columbia 67 10
American University 67 27
University of Washington 66 16
Miami University 66 13
Portland State University 66 13
The Ohio State University 65 20
Virginia Commonwealth University 65 17
California State University-Long Beach 65 10
The University of Texas at Austin 64 35
Baylor University 64 10
Brigham Young University 63 14
Indiana University Bloomington 63 12
Louisiana State University 63 14
Queens College 63 13
Fordham University 63 15
University of Central Florida 62 33
University of Wisconsin-Madison 62 21
University of California, Los Angeles 62 42
Georgia State University 62 20
University of Minnesota 62 11
UC Santa Barbara 62 14
Howard University 62 10
Temple University 61 15
The University of Georgia 61 11
Binghamton University 61 11
University of Colorado Boulder 60 18
Arizona State University 59 44
Florida State University 59 33
Towson University 59 14
Florida Atlantic University 59 21
Virginia Tech 59 14
San Jose State University 58 12
University of South Carolina 58 13
Michigan State University 57 10
Kansas State University 56 10
UC Irvine 56 14
College of the Holy Cross 56 11
Florida International University 55 23
University of South Florida 55 21
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 55 12
Appalachian State University 55 15
Christopher Newport University 55 14
University of Houston 54 20
Colorado State University 54 12
Loyola University Chicago 54 10
University of Oregon 53 20
Georgia Southern University 53 10
University of Maryland Baltimore County 53 14
University of Arkansas 52 12
Harvard University 52 10
University of California, Davis 51 21
North Carolina State University 51 12
Troy University 51 10
Illinois State University 50 21
California State University, Long Beach 50 12
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 50 12
Texas Tech University 49 15
Auburn University 49 14
California State University, Northridge 49 10
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 49 10
Villanova University 49 12
San Francisco State University 48 12
Kennesaw State University 47 15
University of Arizona 46 16
West Virginia University 46 13
Texas A&M University 45 26
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 45 14
University of California, Riverside 45 20
University of Connecticut 45 13
Penn State University 44 10
University at Buffalo 42 12
University of Iowa 41 12
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 40 19
Clemson University 37 11
University of Mississippi 29 10