First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from University at Albany, SUNY 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Political Science And Government graduates from University at Albany, SUNY have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) 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, 46% 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: 39%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University at Albany, SUNY with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science And Government. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInvestigative Aide InternNew York State Department of Motor Vehicles Jan 2016 - Apr 2016 Sales Associate DSW Sep 2016 - Nov 2018 Community Budget and Fiscal Management Intern New York State Office of Mental Health Sep 2018 - May 2019 Office Clerk Inter County Judicial Services Jan 2020 - Apr 2020 Office Manager Inter County Judicial Services Sep 2020 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Public Administration - MPAUniversity at Albany, SUNY 2017 - 2019 ABOUTExperienced graduate with a demonstrated history of working in the government industry. Skilled in Customer Service and Microsoft Office. Graduate of a Master of Public Administration - MPA focused in Homeland Security from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, SUNY. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the profiles of graduates with a degree in Political Science and Government from the University at Albany, SUNY, it seems like many of them have ventured into positions that apply their knowledge directly or indirectly. A significant number have taken roles related to legislative work, legal assistance, and community engagement. Jobs like Legislative Aide, Community Engagement Manager, and roles at the National Parents Union showcase how these grads are actively involved in advocacy, policy formulation, and community organization—all essential aspects of political science. Even roles such as Paralegal or Legal Intern were common, which involve a strong understanding of legal frameworks and government processes, making them highly relevant to their studies.
However, while many of their positions align well with their degree, there are quite a few roles that seem to stray far from political science. Positions like Office Manager, Sales Associate, or even Fulfillment Associate show that not every graduate ends up in a field directly connected to their studies. It’s clear that while some made a seamless transition into jobs that capitalize on their political science background, others found themselves in functions that don’t fully utilize the skills developed in their degree program. In essence, those with a clear focus on advocacy, policy, or legal tasks tend to have had a more relevant job path, while others may have wandered into unrelated fields.
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 University at Albany, SUNY):
When looking at the career paths of graduates from the University at Albany, SUNY with a degree in Political Science and Government, it seems like there's a mixed bag. Right after graduation, many of them start in roles that can be quite relevant to their studies, like Legislative Aide positions or roles at various government agencies. For instance, graduates from 2010 to 2018 tend to find their first gigs in nonprofits, legal fields, or with local or state government, which makes sense given their academic background. However, some also drift into jobs that don’t necessarily tie back to their political science training, like retail positions or administrative roles, especially early on in their careers.
Fast forward five to ten years, and there’s a noticeable split. Some alumni seem to scale the ladder in public service, policy development, and nonprofit management, like those who transitioned from community engagement roles to executive positions. Others, though, veer away from political science entirely. It appears that while many find substantial and relevant work, a fair number end up in jobs where the connection to their degree feels less direct, such as banking or retail. Overall, it’s a mix of those who have honed in on their political science roots and those who have diversified into other areas, so there’s no one-size-fits-all trajectory for these grads! It’s a reminder that a degree can open doors, but your path will depend on a lot of personal choices and the evolving job market.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government at the University at Albany, SUNY, is generally considered to be of average difficulty, but like any degree, it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you're passionate about politics, current events, and enjoy reading and writing, you might find it manageable and even enjoyable. There will be some challenging coursework, including understanding political theories, analysis of complex systems, and research assignments, but if you stay organized and engaged, you can definitely handle it. Just keep in mind that classes can sometimes get pretty intense, especially when exams roll around or when you're juggling major projects. Overall, it's a solid degree that requires effort, but it's not insurmountable!
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.
So, looking at the job paths of these University at Albany grads in Political Science and Government, it seems like they’re generally making decent money, but it really varies a lot depending on the career track. Some, like the folks in legal or management positions, have seemingly found their way into more lucrative jobs, like the Associate at a law firm or the Community Engagement Manager. Others, especially those taking on entry-level roles like bank associates or various clerical positions, might not be pulling in as much, especially early in their careers. Overall, if you're aiming for high-paying roles, it looks like pursuing a career in law or higher management could lead to a better paycheck down the line, while some of the more traditional public service roles might not bring home the big bucks right away.
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 University at Albany, SUNY). 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: