First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from University of Iowa 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, Political Science And Government graduates from University of Iowa have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) 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 16% 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: 49%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science And Government. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInternErnest R. Sawyer, Enterprises Inc. Jan 2014 - Feb 2014 GIS Specialist Municipal GIS Partners, Inc. (MGP Inc.) Feb 2014 - Feb 2018 Analyst, Distribution Integrity Management Program Nicor Gas Feb 2018 - Nov 2019 Program Coordinator - Energy Efficiency Nicor Gas Nov 2019 - Jul 2021 Supervisor, Resource Management Nicor Gas Jul 2021 - Jun 2022 Associate Program Manager Nicor Gas Jun 2022 - Jun 2023 Program Manager Nicor Gas Jun 2023 - Present ABOUTI am proud to be a program manager with the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program. I am responsible for the development and implementation of Nicor Gas comprehensive income eligible energy efficiency offerings to ensure that customers in need receive critical natural gas, health, and safety services. I partner with other utilities across the state of Illinois, and I ensure that more than $50 million in key programming initiatives are implemented to support Nicor Gas communities. I am also currently a member of the Nicor Gas Environmental Stewardship Pillar Grant Team that awards grants to organizations across the companys service territory that are committed to providing equitable access to natural green spaces and enhancing sustainability activities that make a meaningful environmental impact. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
It looks like a lot of people who graduated with a degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Iowa have ended up in various roles, but not all of these jobs are directly related to what they studied. A common theme is that many graduates have taken positions that center around management, coordination, and operational roles in sectors like energy, education, and even retail. For example, roles such as Account Manager, Program Coordinator, and even Legal Assistant show up frequently. While these positions can benefit from skills like communication and critical thinking—skills often honed during a Political Science degree—their daily tasks don't usually dive deep into political theories or government operations.
However, there are also standout roles where the connection to Political Science is clear, especially in campaign-related positions like Field Organizer or in non-profit work at places like the Anti-Defamation League. These jobs directly apply political knowledge and skills, engaging with the electoral process and advocacy work. So, overall, while some grads have found themselves in positions that loosely connect to their degree, many others seem to be pursuing careers that don't tap into the specifics of Political Science and Government as much as one might expect. It’s a mixed bag, but it definitely highlights how versatile a Political Science degree can be, allowing for a variety of career paths both within and outside of traditional political roles.
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 Iowa):
Graduates from the University of Iowa with a degree in Political Science and Government seem to have a pretty diverse range of career trajectories. For those just starting out, many of them typically land jobs that are either directly related to politics or government, like internships, field organizing, or working as program coordinators. Some go the nonprofit route, engaging in education and community service roles, indicating that many are keen on public service and social impact right off the bat. However, it's also common for some to take detours into sectors that may not seem directly tied to their degree, like sales or hospitality, especially in the early years after graduation.
Fast forward about five to ten years, and you'll notice that a good number of these graduates seem to find their footing in more specialized roles. Many shift towards management positions, often within energy companies or continue building careers in government, political campaigns, or legal sectors. While some do manage to secure positions that clearly align with their Political Science backgrounds, like working for political campaigns or as judicial clerks, others seem to drift into roles that could be seen as less relevant, such as being in marketing or operations at brewing companies. Overall, while there are successes in terms of relevant careers, a fair number do seem to take less direct paths, creating a mixed bag when it comes to the effectiveness of the degree in landing roles that utilize those specific skills and knowledge gained in school.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at the University of Iowa—or really anywhere—can be a mix of challenging and engaging. It’s not super easy, but it’s not the hardest degree out there either. You’ll dive into topics like political theory, public policy, and international relations, which can get pretty intense depending on the classes you choose. If you enjoy discussing current events and analyzing various political systems, it could be really fun! But be prepared for a good amount of reading, writing research papers, and maybe some debates. Overall, it’s definitely manageable if you stay on top of your work and have an interest in the subject.
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 career paths of these University of Iowa Political Science and Government graduates, it’s a mixed bag in terms of money-making potential. Some of them, especially those who moved into roles at companies like Nicor Gas or the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, seem to have climbed the ladder pretty effectively, suggesting they're likely earning decent salaries now. On the flip side, others, particularly those who started as servers or bartenders, reflect a more typical starting point with jobs that probably paid less right out of college. Overall, it seems like if they stick with their fields and keep advancing, a lot of them are on a good path to make decent money in the long run, but it's clear some took longer to find those higher-paying gigs.
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 Iowa). 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: