First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from Santa Clara 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Political Science And Government graduates from Santa Clara University have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) 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 30% 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:
Relevance score: 75%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science And Government. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONS3 Plannning OfficerUS Army Jan 2014 - Jun 2014 Recreation Assistant City of Ontario Jun 2014 - May 2015 Intern Congressman Ed Royce Jan 2015 - May 2015 Legislative Intern House Committee on Foreign Affairs Sep 2015 - Dec 2015 Legislative Intern House Committee on Homeland Security Jan 2016 - Feb 2016 Staff Assistant House Committee on Ethics Feb 2016 - Nov 2016 Platoon Leader 184th Infantry 2014 - Present Program Assistant Foreign Service Institute Nov 2016 - Present Program Management Specialist New Century Jun 2018 - Present Public Affairs Officer District of Columbia U.S. Army National Guard Apr 2019 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job paths of Political Science and Government graduates from Santa Clara University, it seems like there are some clear trends. A lot of these alumni have landed in roles that are closely tied to their degree, particularly in fields related to law, government, and advocacy. For example, many have served as law clerks, which is pretty on-point considering the legal knowledge that comes with a Political Science education. Positions like legislative interns or staff assistants in government committees also pop up frequently, showing a strong link to political processes and their practical applications.
However, not every job align with their studies. There are quite a few graduates who ended up in roles that seem far removed from Political Science, such as operations management or customer service. While some of these jobs might benefit from a general understanding of governance or policy, they don’t directly apply the skills learned in their degree program. It’s a mixed bag overall—lots of relevant positions, especially in government and legal sectors, but also a noticeable number of jobs that don’t harness their Political Science education. So, it looks like having a Political Science degree does open doors, but not all paths taken by graduates directly relate to the field.
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 Santa Clara University):
It looks like graduates from Santa Clara University with a degree in Political Science and Government have a mix of career paths, with many finding their way into roles that are relevant to politics, law, and public service. For those who graduated in the early 2010s, a lot of them started off in relatively entry-level positions or internships that were directly tied to their field of study. Jobs like committee clerk, operations manager, and various law clerk positions seem to be common stepping stones. As time goes on, many of these individuals have moved into more established roles, such as project managers, trial attorneys, and program specialists, indicating a solid trajectory into careers that align with their educational background.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you can see a trend where many graduates have secured impressive titles. It’s not uncommon for them to have taken on significant roles within government offices, legal firms, or nonprofits, which suggests that their degrees are serving them well. However, it’s also worth noting that some alumni drift into more generalist positions unrelated to political science, as seen with those who became operations managers or moved into more corporate environments. Overall, while there are instances of graduates veering off into non-political careers, many appear to be thriving in roles that leverage their backgrounds in political science and government, pointing toward a generally successful outcome for these graduates in their post-college endeavors.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government can be a mixed bag, but at Santa Clara University, it generally leans towards being on the moderate side in terms of difficulty. You'll definitely come across some challenging courses that require critical thinking, a ton of reading, and good writing skills. Plus, you’ll engage in debates and discussions that will push you to think deeply about politics and social issues. However, if you're genuinely interested in the subject, it can be super engaging and rewarding as well. So, while it has its tough moments, if you're passionate about political science, it’s manageable and you’ll probably find yourself enjoying the process.
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.
Alright, so let’s break down how these Santa Clara University grads are doing money-wise based on their job histories. The 2010 grad looks like they might be stacking some decent cash from working their way up to a senior project manager role, especially if they’ve been with reputable nonprofits. The 2012 grads seem to be on different paths; one lawyer is obviously doing well as a co-founder of a law firm, whereas the operations manager at Petco might not be making as much since retail can be hit or miss. The 2014 and 2015 grads are also juggling various government and planning roles, which can offer stable salaries but might not be super high. Meanwhile, the 2020 grads are getting their feet wet with entry-level positions, suggesting they’re likely pulling in less now but could earn more in the future as they gain experience. Overall, it looks like some are definitely making decent money, especially if they've landed in management or legal roles, while others are still working their way up.
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 Santa Clara 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: