First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from UC Irvine 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Political Science And Government graduates from UC Irvine have a much lower likelihood (-11%) 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, 71% 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: 20%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from UC Irvine with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science And Government. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONServerTea House On Los Rios Aug 2022 - Aug 2023 Legal Intern Credo May 2024 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of Law - JDUniversity of California, Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco) 2023 - 2026 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From checking out the job profiles of UC Irvine graduates who studied Political Science and Government, it's clear there are a couple of pathways that seem to be the most popular. Many graduates find themselves in legal roles, whether as paralegals, legal assistants, or interns in law firms and government offices. These positions are highly relevant to their degrees since they involve understanding legal systems, regulations, and the political context behind laws. For example, students who took on roles like Legal Assistant or Law Clerk directly apply the knowledge they gained during their Political Science studies, dealing with law and public policy issues on a daily basis.
On the other hand, there are a number of graduates who ended up in jobs that don't have much connection to Political Science at all. You'll find folks working as software developers, engineers, or in various roles at companies like Booz Allen Hamilton and Revature. While these roles may utilize some soft skills or analytical capabilities, they mostly lack the direct application of political science knowledge. So, while there are definitely strong links between many positions and the Political Science and Government curriculum, a notable number of graduates also venture into fields that don't heavily rely on the core skills they learned in college. This suggests that while a degree in Political Science can provide a good foundation for certain careers in law or government, there are plenty of other directions that graduates take that might not directly utilize their degree’s curriculum.
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 UC Irvine):
Graduates from UC Irvine with a degree in Political Science and Government seem to have taken a diverse range of career paths, though many still find their way into jobs closely related to their studies. Right after graduation, it appears that a fair number of these alumni land roles that either capitalize on their political science knowledge or lean into legal careers, such as internships in legal firms, positions in government, or roles in consulting. For instance, individuals from the class of 2010 and 2014 have made notable advancements into management-level roles or specialized positions in the military, which showcases how the understanding of government structures can lead to significant opportunities in those areas.
As we look 5 to 10 years out, there's a mix of successful and less relevant career trajectories. While many alumni have progressed to solid positions—like attorneys, consultants, or in high-ranking corporate roles—others have branched out into fields like software engineering and project management, which, while lucrative, aren't directly tied to political science. There does seem to be a strong representation in legal careers with multiple individuals working as paralegals, law clerks, and attorneys. This illustrates that while not every graduate finds their way into a job that screams "political science," many have effectively leveraged their education to launch successful careers in related fields or in roles that utilize their soft skills cultivated during their studies. Overall, the journey of these graduates shows a promising mix of adaptability and application of their political science backgrounds, even if it doesn't always lead to traditional roles in that field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at UC Irvine can be challenging, but it’s not insurmountable. Like most programs, you’ll dive into complex theories, historical contexts, and current political issues, which can get pretty intense. There are usually plenty of readings, research papers, and group projects, so if you're not into that kind of work or struggle with time management, it might feel a bit tougher. That said, if you're passionate about politics and stay organized, you’ll find it manageable—and you might even have some fun along the way! Overall, it's about average in terms of difficulty; it can be demanding, but many students find it rewarding, especially if they engage with the material.
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.
Based on the job histories of these UC Irvine Political Science and Government grads, it seems like they're starting to carve out pretty decent career paths, but the money varies quite a bit. For instance, the grad who became in-house counsel at Allstate likely earns a solid salary, especially being at a management level since 2014. Others, like the ones in engineering and the military, probably have good earning potential, especially given the skills they developed along the way. On the flip side, some are still in early or lower-level jobs, like legal internships or support roles, which can mean lower pay. So, it's a mixed bag overall—some are definitely doing well, while others are still figuring things out. It’s a reminder that while a degree is important, the early career steps can vary wildly!
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 UC Irvine). 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: