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First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from Illinois 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 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Political Science And Government graduates from Illinois State University have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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 33% 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 Science And Government 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 2019 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Political Science And Government. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFounder Soothe Remedys Oct 2021 - Present Founder Magic City Marketing Apr 2022 - Present ABOUTSerial entrepreneur. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, after looking at the different jobs that people with a Political Science and Government degree from Illinois State University have landed, it seems like there are a couple of popular paths they follow. A good chunk of graduates have gone into roles that are either directly related to law and government, like being law clerks or attorneys, which totally makes sense given the focus of their studies. You can see clear connections with positions like Assistant District Attorney and Associate Attorney where they use their knowledge about legal principles and the justice system every day. However, there’s also a significant number of graduates who found themselves in jobs that seem pretty far from political science—like sales, real estate, and administrative roles. These jobs, while they can definitely utilize some transferable skills, don’t really tap into the core knowledge you’d expect from someone who spent years studying government and politics.
In looking at overall relevance, it's a mixed bag. Sure, some grads are doing super relevant work in public policy or law that ties back beautifully to their education, but many others are in positions where their degree isn’t really being put to use. It makes you think about how flexible a Political Science degree can be—it opens doors to certain fields but also leads some into roles that, at first glance, might seem a bit unrelated. So while there are definitely people out there making big impacts in related jobs, quite a few are also working in roles that don't require their political know-how at all. It's a reminder that your degree can lead you down various paths, some more aligned with your studies than others!
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 Illinois State University):
Graduates from Illinois State University's Political Science and Government program seem to follow a variety of career paths, with some increasingly aligning with roles that leverage their degree over time. Fresh out of college, many of them take on entry-level positions that might not directly relate to political science, like customer service roles or retail positions. However, as they gain experience, a noticeable trend emerges where they either move into more specialized roles within non-profit organizations, legal fields, or government channels, which are more relevant to their educational background. For example, graduates working in housing solutions, legal clerk positions, and various roles in district attorney's offices showcase how individuals are able to transition into careers that make use of their political knowledge and skills as they progress in their careers.
Looking at their trajectories five to ten years post-graduation, many seem to climb the ranks in their respective fields. For those who started out in legal roles, there's a clear path towards becoming practicing attorneys or positions of responsibility within law firms. Similarly, individuals who enter non-profit work often escalate to managerial or directorial roles, indicating that their early jobs, though perhaps not ideal, paved the way for significant career development. However, it's also worth noting that some graduates veer off into unrelated fields, like retail banking or sales, particularly if they found initial employment in those areas. Overall, while the early stages may see some diversions, many graduates from this program eventually find fulfilling careers that resonate with their studies in political science and government, especially in the long run.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at Illinois State University, or anywhere else really, can be a mixed bag. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not the most challenging. You’ll dive into a lot of theories, political systems, and maybe even some legal stuff, which can be pretty engaging if you’re into that kind of thing. Expect to write essays and keep up with reading assignments, and if you enjoy discussing current events and debates, that’ll help a lot. Overall, if you keep up with the coursework and stay curious, it’s totally manageable, but it does require some effort!
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.
Looking at these graduates from Illinois State University, it seems like their earnings really vary depending on their field and career path. Some folks are doing pretty well, like the licensed realtor who's likely making solid commissions or the director-level positions in education and legal roles, which usually come with decent salaries. However, others seem to be starting off in more entry-level or lower-paying jobs, like teaching or administrative roles, especially those who graduated more recently. Overall, while a few are probably raking it in, many are probably still working their way up the ladder, so it’s a mixed bag when it comes to how much money they're making.
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 Illinois State University). 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:
