First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from University of California, Los Angeles 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 42 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Political Science And Government graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a slightly lower 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, 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: 40%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science And Government. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInsurance Account RepresentativeState Farm Jul 2017 - Nov 2018 Educational Transcriber William S. Hart Union High School District Nov 2018 - Present ABOUTExperienced with clerical duties, entry level design with customer service work experience in the retail industry. Skilled in AutoCAD, C++, Microsoft Visual Studio C++, R, CATIA v5 and Microsoft Office. Strong support professional graduated from University of California, Los Angeles. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking at the jobs held by graduates from UCLA's Political Science and Government program, it seems like they’ve gone in a bunch of different directions. The most common positions involve roles in law, compliance, policy analysis, and advocacy. A lot of alumni have landed positions like paralegals, law clerks, or legal assistants. This makes sense since political science provides a solid foundation for understanding the legal system and government processes. Roles in public service and advocacy also pop up quite a bit, tying back to themes of governance and social justice that are part of the degree curriculum.
However, not all of their jobs are directly tied to political science. Many graduates have taken paths in teaching, event coordination, and even retail management—fields where their degree doesn't play a significant role. For instance, various positions like teaching English or managing logistics don’t necessarily apply political science skills daily, which makes you wonder how effectively the knowledge from their studies is being utilized. Overall, it looks like while many graduates find themselves in relevant roles that really engage the core principles of political science and government, a good chunk of them also drift into areas where that knowledge isn’t the main focus of their work.
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 of California, Los Angeles):
Graduates from UCLA with a degree in Political Science and Government have ventured into a variety of career paths, many of which align with their academic background. Initially, many of them land entry-level positions in related fields such as research assistance, internship roles, or teaching. For instance, those who graduated in the early 2010s often started as research interns, event coordinators, or client service coordinators. Positions like these offer a good foundation in understanding political processes, public policy, or human rights advocacy, which are crucial for later advancements. Others have taken on roles that position them for excellence in legal fields or political campaigning, such as internships with congressional offices or non-profits focused on civil rights and public service.
Looking five to ten years down the line, many of these graduates transition into more substantial roles, such as attorneys, policy analysts, or project managers. It's not uncommon to see them climbing the ranks within their fields—some might become senior analysts or directors at established companies, while others may take prominent roles in governmental organizations or high-profile non-profits. A significant number of UCLA Political Science alums have pursued legal careers, with many becoming attorneys or holding influential positions in law firms. While some graduates might drift into unrelated sectors like retail or tech, there’s a strong trend of utilizing their degrees significantly in law, policy-making, and public administration, which underscores the value of a Political Science and Government education. Overall, the trajectory for most appears to be heading in a positive direction, albeit with some diversity of paths that some may not have anticipated.
Alright, so when it comes to a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at UCLA, it can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s definitely challenging—you’re diving into complex theories, learning about political systems, and analyzing current events, which can require a lot of critical thinking and writing. UCLA is a top-tier university, so you’ll be surrounded by some pretty sharp cookies, which can make things feel competitive. On the other hand, some students find it more manageable compared to STEM degrees or super technical subjects. If you enjoy debating, reading, and discussing ideas, you might find it engaging rather than overwhelmingly hard. Overall, it’s probably around average in terms of difficulty, but it really depends on your interests and how well you handle the workload!
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 the job paths of these UCLA Political Science and Government graduates, it seems like they've had a pretty varied financial trajectory. Some started off with internships and lower-paying roles, especially in education and non-profits, which often don't pay as well. However, others have landed gig positions at big companies like Meta and PlayStation, which are typically more lucrative. Over time, many seem to have transitioned into more stable and potentially higher-paying positions, especially in legal and managerial roles. Overall, while not all of them might be raking in the big bucks right away, it looks like a good number of them are on a path that could lead them to decent salaries with experience. So, they’re doing alright, but it might take some time for some to hit that financial sweet spot!
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 of California, Los Angeles). 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: