First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from California State University, Northridge 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Political Science And Government graduates from California State University, Northridge have a much lower likelihood (-18%) 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, 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:
Relevance score: 41%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science And Government. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFinancial Services ProfessionalTransamerica Dec 2020 - May 2021 Financial Development/Administrative Assistant II YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Aug 2016 - Aug 2017 Membership Sales and Service Director YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Aug 2017 - Apr 2021 Associate Executive Director YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles May 2021 - Feb 2024 Operations Executive Director YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Feb 2024 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Business Administration - MBACapella University 2019 - 2021 ABOUTMulti-team leader, able to manage various projects simultaneously. Self-Starter, with excellent communication skills. With a passion for knowledge and the ambition to develop both as an individual and professional, I seek to continue to improve and develop as I have done so in my full-time tenure in the work force. Pursuing post-secondary education in Business. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the types of jobs that graduates from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Political Science and Government have landed, a few trends pop up. Many of them have gone into positions within government sectors, particularly in roles like Field Deputy, Legislative Deputy, and Congressional Intern. These jobs are super relevant since they deal directly with politics, legislation, and public policy—basically, everything political science students study. Others have also taken up positions like Paralegal or Legal Assistant, which, while somewhat indirect, still require a solid grasp of legal systems and governmental processes. These roles definitely tie back to their academic training.
However, it's also important to note that not every job these graduates have chosen aligns closely with their degree. For example, some ended up in roles like Financial Services Professional or Instructional Aide, which don’t really connect to political science principles. These jobs focus more on sales or administrative tasks, distancing from any strong political engagement. All in all, while a significant number of these graduates have secured positions that are directly relevant to their studies in Political Science and Government, there's also a noticeable chunk that veered off into unrelated fields. It just goes to show that having a degree in political science can open a lot of doors, but not all of them lead straight back to politics!
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 California State University, Northridge):
Graduates from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Political Science and Government seem to have followed a variety of career paths, with many landing jobs that are directly or indirectly related to their field of study. For their first jobs after graduation, it appears that many graduates often start in roles that allow them to gain experience in public service or related sectors, like the Field Deputy positions with the City of Los Angeles, or as Pretrial Services Officers. These initial roles provide a solid grounding in government operations, policy, and community engagement, aligning well with their academic background.
As they progress in their careers, particularly 5 to 10 years post-graduation, many graduates appear to move into more advanced positions within government or administrative roles. For example, we've seen individuals transition from legislative deputies to special projects positions or from interns in congressional offices to administrative specialists in large organizations like UCLA Health. However, some graduates have ventured into sectors that stray from traditional political science roles, such as the financial and sales sectors. This mix suggests that while many graduates find meaningful work related to their studies, others, perhaps due to personal interest or opportunity, make career shifts that may not be directly tied to political science. Overall, the trajectory reflects a blend of public service commitment alongside other diverse career paths.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at California State University, Northridge isn’t super hard, but it’s not a walk in the park either—so it really depends on your interests and study habits. If you’re into understanding how politics work and enjoy reading and writing a lot, you’ll probably find it more manageable. The coursework typically involves a mix of theory, current events, and research projects, which can be challenging but rewarding. You’ll want to keep up with your readings and participate in discussions, but if you’re passionate and dedicated, it can be an enjoyable experience. Overall, it's pretty average in difficulty compared to other Bachelor degrees, especially if you engage with the content and stay organized!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government.
So, looking at these graduates from California State University, Northridge, it seems like they've landed some pretty solid jobs, especially if they’ve stuck around in government or non-profit roles, which can pay decently over time. The first grad has moved up through city positions, meaning their salary is likely on the higher end, given public service pay scales in LA. The others also have a mix of roles that seem stable, like working for agencies or in management at institutions like the YMCA. While some of the earlier jobs, like internship roles or entry-level positions, probably didn’t pay a ton, several of these later jobs—like legal assistant or operations director—usually offer decent salaries. Overall, it looks like they’re doing alright financially, especially compared to the average starting salaries for new grads!
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 California State University, Northridge). This may or may not be useful:
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: